CIJA and Jewish Federation of Ottawa call for Removal of any Elected Official Who Persistently Spreads Antisemitism

Ottawa, ON – November 20, 2022 – Over the weekend, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and the Jewish Federation of Ottawa were made aware of a very problematic video containing troubling antisemitic tropes from Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament, Joel Harden.

In the video, calls were made to have Jewish Ontarians questioned and held accountable for the actions of Israel.

Upon this coming to light, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and CIJA released the following joint statement:

“We are aware of a video spreading what can only be called antisemitism and misinformation about Israel.

“In a time when anti-Jewish hate is on the rise, it’s deeply disappointing and hurtful that an elected official would share such rhetoric so casually.

“Just as harmful words have consequences, so too should there be consequences for those who repeatedly advance or promote hateful tropes and charges.

“Any elected official, at any level, who has engaged in repeated antagonistic behaviour towards the Jewish community should be properly sanctioned. Actions have consequences. They certainly should not be allowed to remain in any caucus of a party represented in any legislature. At the very least they must have legislative responsibilities stripped. Elected officials have a duty to demonstrate leadership and they must be held accountable when transgressions occur.”

• David Cooper, Vice President, Government Relations, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs
• Andrea Freedman, President and CEO, Jewish Federation of Ottawa

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About the Jewish Federation of Ottawa

The Jewish Federation of Ottawa is a non-profit community organization that raises funding to help advance and promote an exceptional quality of Jewish life with the goal of ensuring a thriving Ottawa Jewish community that is inclusive, accessible, educated and engaged.

About the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs 

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is the advocacy agent of Jewish Federations across Canada. CIJA is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve and protect Jewish life in Canada through advocacy and to advance the public policy interests of Canada’s organized Jewish community.   

Media Contacts:

For more information or for media interviews, please contact:

Nicole Amiel
Director, Media Relations and GTA Communications
Centre for Israel and Jewish affairs
416.525.2592 | [email protected]

Pauline Colwin
Jewish Federation of Ottawa
pcolwin@jewishottawa.com

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