NDP Must Stop Playing Politics with Jewish Community's Safety

Ottawa, ON – November 4, 2024 – In response to the New Democratic Party's recent statement opposing the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) has issued the following statement: 

“It is troubling that the NDP continues to align with marginal groups who argue against the widely accepted International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism—a definition adopted by Canada in 2019 and endorsed by more than 40 nations globally as the gold standard in identifying and combating this dangerous prejudice.  

“The fight against antisemitism cannot be a debate in which those most affected are sidelined: Canadian Jews, like all communities, have the right to define the hatred that targets them. “Nothing about us without us” underscores the principle that Jewish voices must be central in defining and addressing the antisemitism that we endure. The IHRA definition exists precisely because antisemitism is often nuanced, and its many facets—including those rooted in anti-Zionist rhetoric—must be named if we are to confront this age-old hatred. This definition has been upheld by an overwhelming international consensus because it addresses the reality of modern antisemitism, which often manifests as hostility toward Israel that goes beyond legitimate policy critique. 

“The IHRA definition is not about limiting free speech. It is about ensuring that governments, school boards, university administrations, unions, and civil society organizations can recognize and confront antisemitism in all its forms. When the NDP suggests that legitimate criticism of state policies could be “silenced” by IHRA, they perpetuate a damaging mischaracterization. In fact, IHRA states explicitly that “criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic.” 

“The Jewish community deserves effective protections against hate, not political platitudes that dismiss our lived experiences. It is irresponsible for the NDP to advocate for an alternative definition not widely recognized that dilutes our ability to challenge antisemitism in all its forms. This stance is part of a pattern of increasingly egregious dismissals of Jewish perspectives on antisemitism from NDP MPs.  

“We urge NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, as NDP leaders before him have done, to show true leadership by rejecting this misguided stance within his caucus. Otherwise, he is complicit in erasing the Jewish lived experience and in disregarding the overwhelming majority of Canadian Jews who recognize the IHRA definition as essential to combating antisemitism. Hiding behind the 6% of Jews who do not support Israel does not legitimize this stance. It’s time for Mr. Singh to listen to the Jewish community, honour our voices, and stand unequivocally against all forms of antisemitism. 

“The NDP must stop playing politics with our community’s safety. They must stand with us—and the more than 40 countries that recognize the IHRA definition—in building a Canada that confronts antisemitism without compromise. Anything less fails Canadian Jews and ignores the responsibility that all Canadians, including the NDP, share in eradicating antisemitism.” 

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 Additional Background 

• The IHRA non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” 
  Full details and contemporary examples of antisemitism can be found here. 
• Statement: CIJA Celebrates the Launch of the Canadian IHRA Handbook 
• Statement: Jewish community victimized in 70% of all religion-motivated hate crimes in Canada 
• Polling of Canadian Jews Commissioned by CIJA 
  • Only 6% do not believe that the Government of Canada should strongly support its democratic ally Israel 
  • 42% believe that the Government of Canada is not supporting Israel strongly enough 
  • 82% believe that Canada is less safe for Jews than it was before Oct. 7 
  • 69% reported that the events in the Middle East have made them more likely to worry about their safety in Canada 
  • 80% are concerned about antisemitism in their communities 
  • 79% feel anxious about the large anti-Israel protests 
  • 36% have been targeted (themselves or a member of their family) by antisemitic remarks since October 7 
  • 31% have been (themselves or a member of their family) blamed for casualties in Gaza due to their religious identity 
  • 23% report that they or a member of their family have been alienated from friends or coworkers due to their religious identity 
  • 20% are more likely to hide their Jewishness now to avoid confrontation 
  • 75% think that local police should be doing more to combat antisemitism in Canada 
  • 85% think that the government should be doing more to combat antisemitism in Canada 
• Jews and Israel 2024: A Survey of Canadian Attitudes and Jewish Perceptions – Robert Brym (Canadian Jewish Studies / Études Juives Canadiennes, Volume 37, Spring / Printemps 2024) 
• Jews and Israel 2024 Survey: Ten Further Insights – Robert Brym (Canadian Jewish Studies / Études Juives Canadiennes, 05-30-2024)