Antisemitism at Toronto restaurant

Shai DeLuca, a prominent Jewish designer and media personality, was the target of defamatory accusations posted by Kimberly Hawkins, the owner of the Toronto eatery Foodbenders. Hawkins used her business and social media platforms to spread false and malicious statements, including accusing Mr. DeLuca—a former Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldier—of being a "terrorist" and falsely claiming he pointed a rifle at Palestinian children. Hawkins also posted signs outside her restaurant and shared messages on social media declaring that "Zionists" were not welcome at the establishment, further targeting the Jewish community at large.

In July 2020, The Lawfare Project, in partnership with Toronto law firm RE-LAW LLP, filed a lawsuit against Hawkins in the Ontario Superior Court on behalf of Mr. DeLuca. The lawsuit argued that Hawkins violated anti-defamation laws and Ontario's Human Rights Code by using her store and social media platforms to promote antisemitic rhetoric.

In December 2023, after a fiercely contested trial, LP and RE-LAW LLP secured a landmark victory. The court ruled that Hawkins had maliciously defamed Mr. DeLuca, awarding him $85,000 in damages and imposing a permanent injunction. This decision sends a powerful and unequivocal message: service in the IDF does not equate to terrorism, and defamatory hatred toward Jews will not be tolerated. The ruling marks a significant victory for both the legal fight against antisemitism and the protection of Jewish individuals from targeted defamation in public spaces.