Yves Engler arrested after criticizing a Zionist media figure, with the Crown opposing his release and a bail hearing set for the next day.

On Thursday morning, as scheduled, author and activist Yves Engler was arrested by Montreal police for social media posts criticizing Israel and it’s actions in Palestine and Gaza. Before turning himself in at 980 Guy Street, Engler addressed supporters and the media, denouncing what he called politically motivated charges and a broader effort to silence criticism of Israeli violence.

Surrounded by demonstrators chanting “Free Yves! Drop the charges!”, Engler reaffirmed his commitment to freedom of expression, condemning Montreal police for what he described as collaboration with anti-Palestinian figures. He highlighted the absurdity of the charges, which initially claimed he harassed Dahlia Kurtz, a pro-Israel media personality, simply for responding to her statements online. After Engler publicized the case, police escalated the situation by adding four new charges, alleging harassment and intimidation of law enforcement.

The Origins of the Charges

The campaign against Engler began with Kurtz, who lobbied for his arrest after he called out her pro-Israel rhetoric. However, rather than filing a complaint herself, legal action was reportedly taken on her behalf by Neil Oberman’s law firm, which has been involved in multiple legal efforts against pro-Palestinian activists. The charges accuse Engler of harassment for engaging with Kurtz’s public posts, despite her never blocking him on social media.

Following the announcement of charges, over 2,500 people emailed Montreal police, demanding they drop the case. Engler believes this backlash led police to double down, adding additional charges on the grounds that he was “harassing” officers by publicly discussing his own legal situation.

A Crackdown on Dissent?

Speaking before his arrest, Engler criticized the Canadian government and police for using the legal system to suppress pro-Palestinian activism. He argued that authorities are not acting independently but are instead responding to pressure from pro-Israel organizations framing criticism of Israel as dangerous or extremist.

“This is an obvious abuse of state authority,” Engler stated. “Instead of investigating Canadians who fight in Gaza or the illegal arms trade with Israel, police are targeting activists who speak out against genocide.”

He also pointed to what he called a growing pattern of political policing, where critics of Israel face legal intimidation while supporters of Israeli policies remain unchecked.

Uncertain Legal Future

Engler revealed that his original bail conditions included a gag order preventing him from discussing the case—despite courts previously ruling such restrictions unconstitutional.

While he expects the Crown may eventually drop the charges, he is considering legal action against those involved in the case, including Kurtz.

“This is harassment,” Engler stated before being led out of the courtroom. “They want to silence criticism of Israel by tying up activists in legal battles.”

Yves Engler’s legal situation remains unclear after his court appearance. Initially unsure how long he would be held, he has ultimately been ordered to spend the night in jail, with a bail hearing set for Friday. The Crown opposed his release without explanation, and when Engler questioned this decision, the judge dismissed his concerns and advised him not to speak.

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