MONTREAL (AP) — Montreal’s former commissioner for racism and systemic discrimination, Bochra Manaï, is suing the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs for $125,000, alleging the organization carried out a nearly three-year campaign to discredit her and push for her removal from office.

According to the Montreal Gazette, the lawsuit focuses on an alleged CIJA publication from June 2025 that Manaï says included a visual comparison between her and Adolf Hitler. She argues that the comparison was an extreme attack on her reputation, dignity and professional integrity. The alleged publication was submitted as an exhibit in the lawsuit, but has not been independently reviewed. The allegations have not been tested in court.

Manaï is seeking $100,000 in moral damages and $25,000 in punitive damages, according to the Gazette. She also reserves the right to seek additional damages if the alleged conduct continues or her claimed losses increase.

Manaï was appointed Montreal’s commissioner for the fight against racism and systemic discrimination in 2021. According to CBC News and the Montreal Gazette, her relationship with CIJA deteriorated following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza.

CIJA called for Manaï’s resignation in late 2023, accusing her of failing to adequately respond to antisemitic incidents involving Jewish institutions in Montreal while publicly addressing the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The lawsuit alleges that CIJA and its representatives continued criticizing Manaï during 2024 and 2025, portraying her as incapable of fulfilling her responsibilities. Her lawyers describe the alleged actions as a sustained campaign intended to damage her professional reputation and force her dismissal.

Manaï also alleges that the campaign reinforced stereotypes linking Muslims with antisemitism and extremism and amounted to discrimination prohibited under Quebec’s Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

The lawsuit says Manaï suffered damage to her reputation and dignity, as well as humiliation, stress and anxiety.

CIJA declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing the ongoing court proceedings. Manaï is represented by civil rights lawyer Julius Grey.