Nova Scotia NDP Candidate’s Comments on Israel and the Holocaust Are Deeply Troubling

Halifax, N.S. – November 8, 2024 – This week, members of the Jewish community expressed concern about social media posts by Tammy Jakeman, the NDP candidate for Eastern Passage in Nova Scotia. In recent tweets, Jakeman accused Israel of genocide, demeaned Holocaust remembrance efforts, and described Israel as “happiest when terrorizing Palestinians.”

In response, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and the Atlantic Jewish Council jointly released the following statement:

“It is profoundly disappointing to see a political candidate making such inflammatory and hurtful accusations. Jakeman’s use of the term “genocide” in reference to Israel and her apparent dismissal of the Auschwitz Memorial’s message to honour Holocaust victims are both deeply offensive.

“Accusing those who suffered through the Holocaust of perpetuating genocide not only shows a troubling lack of historical understanding but also serves to distort and diminish recognized acts of genocide, such as the Holocaust.

“Statements of this nature often have real-world impacts, contributing to a climate of fear and hostility experienced by Jewish community members.

“We hear regularly from Jewish community members who feel increasingly unsafe due to inflammatory remarks like those made by Jakeman. Such statements foster division and pose a challenge to maintaining safe and respectful spaces in schools, workplaces, and other community settings.

“We call on Nova Scotia’s NDP Leader, Claudia Chender, to address why Tammy Jakeman was allowed to run under the NDP banner despite her deeply offensive statements and to clearly disassociate the party from these damaging remarks.”

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Additional Background

• Jakeman's social media posts

• 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