This Week in Canadian Jewish Advocacy, February 6th, 2022
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CIJA strongly denounced the use of hate symbols by a noticeable and vocal minority of protesters in downtown Ottawa this week. Nazi, Confederate, and other hate symbols were displayed as well as signs denouncing “globalists” (an extreme-right dogwhistle for Jews). Some protesters have also equated vaccine mandates to the Holocaust and circulated yellow star buttons.
As the House of Commons resumed sitting on Monday, Parliamentarians from multiple parties have taken a stand against the hate symbols seen in Ottawa. Liberal MP Yasir Naqvi (Ottawa Centre) spoke out in the House about the effects of the protesters on the residents of his riding, focusing particularly on the effect the hate symbols have had on the Jewish community. “The Jewish members of my community are rattled. They are really rattled by the symbols of hate they have seen. We ask the protesters to please stop and to respect the community I represent.” Liberal MP Greg Fergus (Hull—Aylmer) also rose to speak out against the use of the Confederate flag in the protests and the effects of it on the Black community. NDP MP Peter Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby) introduced on Thursday a Private Members’ Bill, C-299, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (banning symbols of hate). Conservative MP Kevin Waugh (Saskatoon—Grasswood) also placed on the order paper An Act to amend the Criminal Code (prohibition — promotion of antisemitism), a bill that will criminalize Holocaust denial, legislation CIJA has been directly advocating for. |
Amnesty International has been condemned by Jewish organizations around the world for publishing a report that demonizes Israel and calls into question its right to exist.
Join us as we unpack the AI Report and discuss ways of countering its false and dangerous assertions.
Thursday, February 10, 2022
8:00 a.m. Pacific | 11 a.m. Eastern | 6 p.m. Jerusalem
On Thursday, February 3, the Government of Ontario announced a $25 million investment to establish the Ontario Grant to Support Anti-Hate Security Measures for Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations. This grant supports the security needs of vulnerable institutions such as houses of worship and community centres. Violent events such as the hostage-taking in Colleyville have highlighted the threats to Jews, and CIJA has been advocating for government support to protect Canada’s Jewish community. We applaud the Ontario government’s support and action on this.
CIJA, B’nai Brith, and Friends of Simon Wiesenthal issued a joint statement condemning Amnesty International’s report, released Tuesday, that calls into question Israel’s right to exist. The report denies Jews the right to self-determination and seeks to delegitimize the world’s only Jewish state using unfounded and unsubstantiated smears. The report has also been condemned by the Government of Israel and by Jewish organizations worldwide.
Manager, GTA Stakeholder Relations
Associate Director Communications and Media Relations (Quebec)
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