In his national address on Monday evening, the Prime Minister said that Canada is failing Jewish Canadians.
Our community and all Canadians heard the Prime Minister recognize that antisemitism today is specific, severe, and demands a targeted response.
Yet that message was immediately undermined by the announcement of a Ministerial Advisory Council to “combat racism and hate in all their forms.”
There are serious concerns about both the formation and composition of this council.
Extensive media reporting has raised alarming questions about the suitability of certain members, including their positions on terrorist organizations and their support for campaigns that have made public institutions and campuses hostile to Jews.
Canada doesn’t need another study. We know the drivers of this hatred, and the evidence is overwhelming.
And we will say what was absent from the Prime Minister’s speech: antisemitism in Canada is being driven in significant part by anti-Israel and antizionist hatred.
Too often, extremists hide behind the language of “criticizing Israel,” using it as cover for conduct that would never be tolerated against any other community.
Demonizing, targeting, or excluding Jewish Canadians because of our deep connection to Israel is unacceptable.
And we know that Canada’s disproportionate condemnation of Israel is giving social license to antizionist extremists targeting Jews.
What we need now are urgent actions to address the threats against our community.
That’s why Jewish Federations have issued an open letter to the Prime Minister calling for immediate action: name the problem clearly, enforce existing laws, confront terrorism and radicalization, and end government-funded hate.
Now is the time to make our voices heard.
Join us in sending a message to the Prime Minister: it's time for urgent measures to safeguard our community.
