Model Targeted After Speaking Out on Hate Crime
Toronto model Miriam Mattova is facing a barrage of death threats and antisemitic abuse on social media after she publicly described being ejected from an Uber vehicle for being Jewish in late November 2025. The online vitriol has escalated to direct threats of violence, forcing Mattova to alter her daily life and report the incidents to police.
A Harrowing Incident and Its Violent Aftermath
In late November, Mattova said an Uber driver in downtown Toronto kicked her out of the car in the middle of the night upon learning she was Jewish. Uber later stated it was "deeply sorry" for her experience, had contacted her directly, and took "appropriate action" against the driver, though specifics were not disclosed.
After sharing her story, Mattova received an outpouring of support but also a deluge of hate. One Instagram user wrote, "Should have just slit your throat lol," while another threatened, "(I'm going to) kill you someday." She was called a "dirty Zionist Jew," "baby killer," and a "shameless genocide lover." One message included an image stating "Murderer rot in hell."
"It affects me emotionally and psychologically, and it forces me to become more cautious in my daily life," Mattova told the National Post in December 2025.
A Broader Pattern of Hate and Police Response
Mattova's case is not isolated. Following her report, other Canadian Jews came forward with similar experiences involving Uber, including a couple refused service in Europe for being from Israel and another couple denied a ride from Toronto's airport after speaking Hebrew.
The threats against Mattova come amid a tense global climate. She referenced the December 2025 terror attack in Sydney, Australia, that killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration, and a shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island that left two students dead. "When you see what has happened recently... it becomes impossible to dismiss these threats," she said.
Mattova reported the threats to Toronto Police, who confirmed that uttering threats is a serious criminal offence. "All reported incidents will be investigated thoroughly," said spokesperson Cindy Chung. She advised anyone receiving an imminent digital death threat to call 911. Mattova found it "sobering" to learn how difficult it can be to trace anonymous online accounts.
