Recognize that anti-Zionism is a form of antisemitism

"In a country like Canada, it should be and it must be, safe to declare oneself a Zionist - Jewish or not. Zionism is not a dirty word or something anyone should be targeted for agreeing with. It is the belief, at its simplest, that Jewish people, like all peoples, have a right to determine their own future." - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 

“The Jewish people are being doubly victimized. Once, with the bloodshed they witnessed in their homeland of Israel, and again on the streets and in their synagogues [in Canada].” - Leader of the Opposition Pierre Poilievre 

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.

This includes avoiding the incorporation of anti-Zionist “Anti-Palestinian Racism” (APR) into definitions of Islamophobia. Islamophobia is a real concern and must be addressed in Canada. However, the incorporation of definitions of APR, which specifically and explicitly are anti-Zionist, have been used to silence Jews, Israelis, and victims of antisemitism. APR definitions can be interpreted to stop displays of Israeli identity or flags, statements of the right of Israel to exist, or acknowledgement of Jews’ origins in Israel.

The use of APR is deeply divisive, goes against Canada’s commitment to a Two-State Solution, and increases tensions between Jewish and Muslim Canadians.

Recommendations

• That the Government of Canada publicly and formally recognize that anti-Zionism is a form of antisemitism.
• That APR or other anti-Zionist definitions are not used when drafting and implementing anti-Islamophobia and anti-racism policies by government and organizations.