A Toronto model alleges that she was ejected from an Uber by her driver due to her Jewish identity. Miriam Mattova, 33, described the incident as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing discrimination. "What happened isn’t just an unpleasant moment. It’s a reminder of why speaking up matters," she stated. The incident occurred shortly after midnight on November 30. Mattova, a Jewish Slovakian-Canadian and former Miss Slovakia, was returning home after a friend ordered the ride for her. While in the car, she began a FaceTime call with another friend, discussing a recent trip to Israel. According to Mattova, the female driver abruptly stopped the vehicle and demanded that she exit at a busy intersection. When Mattova questioned the driver's discomfort, the driver reportedly stated, "they do not drive Jewish people." After leaving the vehicle, Mattova ordered another Uber to continue her journey home. She and her friend reported the incident to the ride-sharing company. On December 4, an Uber representative contacted her regarding her complaint. The representative apologized and indicated that they would follow up with the driver to prevent similar incidents in the future. They also offered to refund her fare. Mattova expressed dissatisfaction with the response time, stating, "A serious incident involving hate should trigger immediate action within 24 hours. Anything less allows prejudice to just go unchecked. Basically, it took them four days to get back to me." She emphasized that the incident was not merely about an uncomfortable ride or a refunded fare, but rather a direct act of antisemitism. "The reason I’m speaking about it is because moments like this must be confronted openly," she said. In a statement, an Uber spokesperson acknowledged the situation, saying, "Discrimination is unacceptable, and we’re deeply sorry for the experience this rider had. Everyone deserves to feel safe, welcome, and respected when using Uber." However, the company did not specify what actions were taken regarding the driver. Mattova expressed concern over Uber's lack of transparency about the driver's status on the platform, citing privacy rights. "Any responsible company, in my opinion, would immediately remove a driver who refuses to take someone because they are Jewish," she said. Since the October 7 attacks in Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 251, Mattova has been vocal against antisemitism. Despite facing backlash and hateful messages for her support of Israel, she remains committed to her beliefs. Her advocacy includes a recent visit to Israel with a nonprofit group focused on providing aid, where she spoke with Israeli soldiers about their efforts to protect the Jewish nation. Howard Levitt, Mattova's lawyer, stated, "The scourge of antisemitism has to be confronted by courageous individuals such as Miriam who are prepared to vigorously fight back." He called for Uber to terminate its relationship with the driver and ensure all drivers adhere to non-discrimination principles. Levitt also noted the normalization of antisemitism in society, linking it to recent demonstrations that have targeted Jewish neighborhoods. In November, Mattova attended a demonstration at Toronto City Hall, holding the Israeli flag in response to the raising of the Palestinian flag, which was criticized by Canadian Jewish groups. Mattova, who has lived between Europe and Canada, moved back to Canada full-time in April 2023. She has since advocated for Israel's right to defend itself. Reflecting on her experiences, she stated, "Moments like (the Uber incident) remind me of my grandmother’s pre-war stories. Stories of people staying quiet, dismissing small acts of hate until they become something far more dangerous." This incident follows other recent cases involving rideshare drivers and antisemitism, including a California driver charged with a federal hate crime and a Vienna driver suspended after similar allegations. Uber has stated it is investigating these incidents.