Recognize that anti-Zionism is a form of antisemitism

CIJA believes in a two-state solution, one that will allow Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security as neighbours. This has also been the official policy of Canadian governments, both Liberal and Conservative, for decades, and it is broadly supported by the majorities of both Canadian Jews and the broader Canadian public.

Every democracy in the world, including Israel, is open to fair criticism of and challenge to the policies of its government. Just as Canadians criticize the decisions of our elected leaders, Israelis – who live in the only liberal democracy in the Middle East – freely and openly criticize their government.

However, anti-Zionist criticism of Israel – that demonizes Israelis, delegitimizes Israel’s existence, and holds Israel to standards expected of no other democracy in the world – is inherently antisemitic, and has been used to attack Canadian Jews.

Zionism is simply the belief in Israel’s right to exist. Zionists are those who share this view, and include those on the Left, Centre, and Right of the political spectrum. Those who call themselves anti-Zionists in effect call for the destruction – whether by force or diplomacy – of a UN member state and of the only liberal democracy in the Middle East. Advocating an end to the world’s only Jewish state is no less than a denial of the right of the Jewish people to self-determination.

Recommendations

That the Government of Canada publicly recognize that anti-Zionism is a form of antisemitism.