Jewish Model Allegedly Expelled from Uber Due to Her Faith
In an unsettling incident that highlights growing concerns about religious discrimination, 33-year-old Toronto model Miriam Mattova reportedly faced prejudice during what should have been a routine Uber ride. According to Mattova’s account, shared with Fox News Digital, she was enjoying a simple conversation with a friend via FaceTime on November 30, discussing her recent humanitarian trip to Israel, when the female Uber driver abruptly stopped the vehicle and demanded she exit. When Mattova questioned why she was being removed at a busy intersection, she was stunned by the driver’s alleged response: “they don’t drive Jewish people.” This troubling experience has since garnered attention after being initially reported by the National Post, raising questions about discrimination on ridesharing platforms and the broader issue of antisemitism in Canada.
The incident carries particular weight for Mattova, a former Miss Slovakia and Canadian national who had traveled to Israel just weeks earlier to witness firsthand the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks. During her November visit, she toured Kibbutz Be’eri and spoke with former hostage Ofir Engel, connecting deeply with the community’s trauma. This personal connection made the alleged discrimination all the more jarring for Mattova, who emigrated to Canada precisely because she believed in the country’s values of inclusivity and respect. “Canada has always been a place I believed in. That’s the reason why I moved back here,” Mattova explained, emphasizing that speaking out wasn’t about claiming victimhood but rather “drawing a line and standing in our truth” against hatred targeting any religious or ethnic community.
Following the incident, both Mattova and the friend who booked the ride filed detailed complaints with Uber, seeking accountability for what they perceive as clear religious discrimination. Her attorney, Howard Levitt, has outlined specific demands: a formal apology from Uber, the driver’s termination, a donation to an Israeli charity of Mattova’s choosing, and implementation of a policy requiring all Uber drivers to acknowledge a non-discrimination commitment. According to Levitt, Uber has yet to adequately address these requests, particularly regarding the driver’s employment status, with the company citing privacy concerns—a justification Levitt dismisses as “absolute nonsense” given that the driver’s identity remains undisclosed to the public. “Most decent companies,” Levitt argued, “are anxious to tell the world that they would fire someone like that.”
Uber’s response to the situation has been measured but limited. A spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the company has reached out to both parties as part of its investigation, stating: “We’re sorry for the experience this rider reported. Discrimination has no place on our platform, and we take concerns like this very seriously.” The company confirmed they’ve been in contact with both the rider and driver to understand the situation from both perspectives and have “taken appropriate action,” though they haven’t publicly specified what actions were implemented. This response highlights the challenges rideshare companies face in balancing customer protection, driver independence, and corporate responsibility when allegations of discrimination arise.
For Mattova, this incident represents more than an isolated uncomfortable experience—it’s part of a pattern of antisemitism she claims to have encountered in Canada, prompting her call for people to “stand tall and address modern antisemitism.” Her experience mirrors growing concerns about rising antisemitism globally, particularly following the October 2023 attacks in Israel and subsequent military operations in Gaza. The timing of this alleged discrimination—occurring while Mattova was simply discussing her humanitarian visit to Israel—underscores how geopolitical tensions can manifest in everyday interactions, potentially leading to prejudice against individuals based solely on their faith or perceived connections to Israel.
This troubling incident serves as a reminder that despite Canada’s reputation for diversity and inclusion, discrimination can still occur in unexpected moments and ordinary settings. While Uber maintains that “discrimination has no place on our platform,” Mattova’s experience suggests that policies alone may not be sufficient to prevent such incidents. As ridesharing services have become essential components of urban transportation, ensuring these spaces remain free from religious, racial, or ethnic discrimination becomes increasingly important. Whether through improved driver education, more responsive complaint handling, or clearer consequences for discriminatory behavior, the incident highlights the ongoing work needed to create truly inclusive shared spaces—both on digital platforms and in the physical world they facilitate.
