June 2024
Wendy Schneider

It only took hours after the news of the massacre of Israeli civilians on Oct. 7 for CUPE Local 3906, a union that represents academic workers at McMaster, to tweet “Palestine is rising, long live the resistance.” And it took mere hours after that for Victoria Manicinelli to respond. “Any form of praise or celebration when women, children and families are being killed by terrorists,” she put out in a tweet on Oct. 8, “is unfathomable.” 

The senior executive at LiUNA (Laborers’ International Union of North America) continued to put out tweets in support of Israel and the Jewish community over the next several weeks, but it was her March 21 op-ed in the Toronto Sun that really had Jewish Canadians take notice of this fearless, outspoken, and self-appointed ally of the Jewish community. 

“The cancellation of the Jewish Film Festival in Hamilton  ... is a cancellation of the Jewish people,” wrote Mancinelli in a blistering piece that condemned elected officials for “giving in to the intimidation and hate from anti-democratic voices ... that emboldens those who want to destroy our society and guarantee future attacks on the Jewish community.”

When asked about the reasons for her unwavering support for Israel and the Jewish people, Mancinelli points to the examples set by her grandfather, the late Enrico Mancinelli and father Joseph, both of whom were strong supporters of Israel.  Mancinelli describes herself as “an unapologetic Zionist.” 

In presenting Mancinelli with an award at its recent AGM, Hamilton Jewish Federation president Jason Waxman praised Mancinelli for her moral clarity and allyship, calling her steadfast support “truly remarkable.”

“Victoria continues to stand strong on social media, which I am sure comes at a heavy cost. We are incredibly grateful for your allyship at a time when we need it most.”