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Jewish students, parents, and educators have had enough of being victimized by systemic antisemitism within Ontario’s publicly funded schools. Anti-Jewish hate, intimidation, and violence are going unaddressed by school board administrations and school staff. The Jewish community requires that our political leaders commit to fighting antisemitism in schools and implementing policies and positions that keep Jewish students and staff safe.  

There has been a marked increase in the weaponization of geopolitical events in our schools with walkouts, and non-sanctioned materials introduced in classrooms providing a one-sided view of an issue. The recent push for Anti-Palestinian Racism (APR) is proof of this trend. While anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bigotry certainly exists in Canada, this push to adopt a concept not based on the Human Rights Code has issues inherent in its definition and application that directly undermine the rights of our Jewish students. It also dismisses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism that has been adopted by Ontario, by Canada, and by many countries worldwide. 

We have also seen educators themselves violate their pledge to protect their students. Some teachers do not act against students who castigate and bully Jewish students, and others are themselves guilty of bullying Jewish students, creating an unwelcome and, sometimes, unsafe environment. Adding to that, teachers’ unions do not take measures to ensure accountability for actions that are in direct violation of teachers’ fundamental duties. Such inaction is compounded by those in union leadership positions who have themselves shared antisemitic material online. This is all complicated by EDI policies in all segments of society, which have focused more on our differences than on our common values. Instead of creating inclusion, these policies are effectively excluding Jewish students and their allies. This must change.