Former Miss Slovakia Says Uber Driver Ejected Her at Busy Toronto Intersection for Being Jewish

Miriam Mattova, a 33-year-old Toronto-based model and former Miss Slovakia, says she was ordered out of an Uber at a busy Dundas Street intersection on Nov. 30 after the driver learned she was Jewish.

What Happened

Mattova told Fox News Digital that she was FaceTiming a friend and describing a recent mission trip to Israel when the female driver abruptly slammed on the brakes and instructed her to leave the vehicle. According to Mattova, when she asked why, the driver replied, "They don't drive Jewish people."

"I immediately ended my call and asked, like, why they're stopping. And they told me that they feel uncomfortable with me in the car," Mattova said. "So I asked why, because I didn't do anything wrong. And then I got an answer that they don't drive Jewish people."

Company Response and Complaints

An Uber spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the company has contacted both the rider and the driver and is reviewing the incident. "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 statement said.

Mattova and the friend who booked the ride filed detailed complaints with Uber. Her lawyer, Howard Levitt, has publicly demanded an apology, termination of the driver’s relationship with Uber, a donation to an Israeli charity chosen by Mattova, and a companywide requirement that drivers acknowledge a no-discrimination policy.

"We've demanded they terminate the relationship with the driver, and they've refused to respond to that at all. They claim privacy, which is absolute nonsense," Levitt told Fox News Digital. "First of all, no one even knows the driver's name, so there's no privacy issue. And secondly, most decent companies are anxious to tell the world that they would fire someone like that."

Context and Reaction

Mattova recently traveled to Israel to observe the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks, visiting Kibbutz Be'eri and speaking with survivors. She said this incident is not the first antisemitic episode she has experienced in Canada and urged the public to "stand tall and address modern antisemitism."

The case highlights ongoing concerns about discrimination on ride-hailing platforms and has prompted calls for clearer enforcement of anti-discrimination policies and greater transparency from companies when incidents arise.