This Week in Canadian Jewish Advocacy, December 8, 2024
This week, we expressed our dismay – but not surprise – at the most recent report from Amnesty International that, while purporting to be independent, is imbued with anti-Israel bias. Our CEO testified before the Senate Committee for Human Rights and Justice about the alarming rise in antisemitism across Canada, and we are supporting the Canadian Jewish Labour Committee as they assist victims of antisemitism in their unions.
For more information, read on.
CIJA
Amnesty International has released the findings of its most recent "independent" investigation into the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, another in a long line of the spurious, anti-Israel publications this organization has issued over the years. To support its agenda of smearing Israel, Amnesty International goes so far as to redefine the concept of genocide, claiming that the universally accepted legal definition is an “overly cramped interpretation of international jurisprudence and one that would effectively preclude a finding of genocide in the context of an armed conflict.” This alone undermines any credibility the report may have. Read our statement about this biased and dangerous report here and our note to community here.
On Monday, CIJA's President and CEO, Shimon Koffler Fogel, testified at length to the Senate Committee for Human Rights and Justice about the alarming rise in antisemitism and actions our government must take to protect the Canadian Jewish community, among them: to convene a national forum on combatting hate crimes, terrorism, and antisemitism; to strengthen enforcement of Canada's criminal laws; to enhance judicial and law enforcement training; to bolster community safety programs; and to address radicalization and extremism. Watch his testimony here.
These asks were included in our recent call to Canadians to write to the Prime Minister urging him to take concrete action against terror and radicalization. If you are not yet among the thousands of Canadians who have already done so, you can email Justin Trudeau here.
As union leaders across Canada continue to promote antisemitism while collecting dues, Jewish union members continue to suffer, literally at their own cost. Many members don’t know how to respond. If you are, or someone you know is, a Jewish union member who has experienced antisemitism, or feels alone, marginalized and victimized, reach out today to the Canadian Jewish Labour Committee for support. The CJLC is a member-driven group created to unite Jewish workers in fostering inclusion, combatting antisemitism, and championing engagement and solidarity across Canada’s labour movement.
Is Canada still a nation that stands for tolerance and inclusion, or are we becoming a nation that tolerates hate? These are questions that demand answers — not in words, but in meaningful action.
In this insightful piece in the National Post, retired union member Jeff Arbus reflects on Canada’s increasing tolerance for hate and the urgent need for Jewish union members to address and collectively counter the unprecedented indignities and increasingly antisemitic behaviour they are experiencing from union leadership and fellow members.
Would you like to stay current on issues of concern and news from CIJA as it happens? Sign up here to opt in to receive CIJA's press releases and media statements. To stay up-to-date with what’s happening in Israel and the effects of antisemitism on life here in Canada, sign up for the National Post's Channel Israel newsletter here.
Take Action
Tell Canada’s leaders to take action against terror and radicalization!
Tell the Government to stand up to division and hate – reject APR
Community Calendar
December 25 - Christmas Day (CIJA Offices Closed)
December 25 – January 2 | Chanukah
January 1 - New Year's Day (CIJA Offices Closed)
Community Careers
London Jewish Federation | Executive Director
Jewish Federation of Ottawa | Communications and Social Media Officer
Jewish Federation of Ottawa | Database Associate
Jewish Federation of Edmonton | Associate Director of Development
Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver | Manager, Jewish Community Foundation
CIJA in the News
Toronto transit chief appeals to police as antisemitic graffiti skyrockets (The Jerusalem Post)
Canada adds the Houthis to list of terrorist entities (Toronto Sun, + Postmedia Syndication)
Quebec will investigate campus climate at Dawson, Vanier CEGEPs (The Montreal Gazette)
Il est temps d’en finir avec l’exemption religieuse (Le Journal de Montréal)
Anti-Zionist Jews occupy Ottawa parliament demanding arms embargo (The Jerusalem Post)
Déry orders probe into anti-Israel intimidation at CEGEPs (The Suburban)
‘Music for Palestine’ fundraiser supporting Hamas-linked charities (Western Standard)
Vote du Canada à l'ONU : Résolution sur Jérusalem-Est et la Cisjordanie (CJWI CPAM 1410)
Quebec colleges surprised by gov't investigation on campus Middle East climate (The Jerusalem Post)
Should hate speech be excused as religious belief? – The Elias Makos Show (CJAD800 AM)
Canada's UN vote against Israel slammed (The Suburban)
Quebec launches inquiry into campus safety following Middle East conflict tensions (True North)
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