This week, we called on Prime Minister Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Joly to publicly denounce South Africa's shameful, false charge of genocide at the International Court of Justice. 

Read on to learn more.

The CIJA Team  

Anti-Israel activists have sunk to a new low by accusing Israel of the very thing from which the Jewish state is defending itself.  

What Hamas terrorists did on October 7 to innocent Israelis was in support of their founding charter that calls for the destruction of the Jewish state and annihilation of the Jewish people. Hamas leaders have since boasted that they aim to perpetrate the atrocities of October 7 "again and again." 

We asked you to tell Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Joly need to stand up and say something about it. You helped us urge them to denounce South Africa's shameful, false charge. On Friday, Prime Minister Trudeau said he does not support the "premise of the case brought forward by South Africa."

You can still take action to ensure the government knows the accusations from South Africa must be denounced. TAKE ACTION

In addition to hate crimes increasing in number and severity since October 7, aggression of anti-Israel protestors has escalated, particularly in Toronto – home to Canada’s largest Jewish community. Repeatedly over recent weeks, citing safety concerns, police have closed the overpass at Highway 401 and Avenue Road where anti-Israel protestors congregated. This caused immense disruption to highway commuters and isolated a neighbourhood that is home to many Jewish families.   

On Tuesday, CIJA issued an action alert, asking Ontario’s Attorney General to take urgent action to restrict demonstrations on highway overpasses, and almost 10,000 Canadians responded. On Thursday, Toronto Police Service Chief Myron Demkiw announced that Toronto police are banning protests, rallies, and demonstrations on the Avenue Road / 401 highway overpass. Learn more.  

We thank the chief for his leadership in keeping our community safe. 

In light of the government of Canada’s vote at the UN in favour of a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War, CIJA’s Emmanuelle Amar, Director of Public Policy and Research (Quebec) and Becca Wertman-Traub, Director of Research, explain how a call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War that does not require that Hamas surrender, lay down its arms, and return the hostages, is the opposite of a call for peace. It is a call for more death and violence. Learn more.

The Canadian Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants (CJHSD) invites you to A Collection of Works of Art by Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants in Canada, an exhibition showcasing the outstanding contribution of these renowned artists, on January 28th. At this thought-provoking webinar, the artists will each present some of their work within the context of their Holocaust history. Register here today.

Community Calendar

Communities are gathering in cities across Canada in response to the devastating war on Israel by Hamas and other terror groups in Gaza. Find an event near you.

January 24 | Tu BiShvat
January 27 | International Holocaust Remembrance Day  
January 28 | A Collection of Works of Art by Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants in Canada
February 19 | Family Day (CIJA offices closed in BC & ON) 

CIJA in the News 

Que fait le gouvernement fédéral contre la haine en ligne ? (Le Devoir)

Show goes on in Vancouver after Gaza tensions scrap play's Victoria run (Toronto Star, + The Canadian Press Syndication)

Supporting an Unconditional Ceasefire is Supporting Hamas (Ottawa Life Magazine)

The case of the Indigo 11: How an act of vandalism became a flashpoint in Toronto (Toronto Star)

Toronto police chief apologizes after officers hand coffee to protesters (CBC News)

Des policiers livrent du café à des manifestants pro-Palestine; le chef s’excuse (Radio Canada)

Toronto police defends delivering coffee to anti-Israel activists (JNS)

Trois Long Mois – Le téléjournal week-end – 12:06-14:52 (ICI Télé Radio-Canada)

Aucun signe de paix après trois mois de conflit armé – Le Téléjournal (RDI)

Avenue Road Protests – Toronto Today Weekends with Greg Brady (Global News Radio 640 Toronto)

Calls mount for cops to enforce law on disruptive anti-Israel protests after coffee-delivery video (National Post)

'This crossed the line': Toronto deputy mayor, councillor call on Ottawa to investigate arson at Jewish-owned North York deli as possible terrorist act (CTV News Toronto, CP24)

Toronto leaders call on feds to investigate suspected hate-motivated arson as possible act of terror - Toronto (Global News)

A viral video prompts an apology from Toronto police—and highlights the ongoing tension between protesters and suburban residents (The Canadian Jewish News)

Liberal MPs at odds over genocide case against Israel as Ottawa prepares to declare official position (The Globe and Mail)

Office to combat antisemitism to open in Winnipeg (Winnipeg Free Press)

‘Confronted with an intensity of hate’ (CTV News Winnipeg)

Police to assess protests in some locations with 'criminal lens': chief (National Post, + The Canadian Press Syndication)

Toronto police lay 'unprecedented' hate crime charge, say man allegedly held 'terrorist flag' at protest (CBC)

Toronto Hate Crimes Update – 00:00-03:06 (CTV News Toronto)

Jewish groups call on Ontario government to halt overpass demonstrations (National Post, + Postmedia Syndication)

Toronto police will crack down on illegal acts at 'escalating' anti-Israel protests, chief says (National Post, + Postmedia Syndication)

Toronto Police Ban Protest on Avenue Rd. Overpass & ICJ Proceedings – Now You Know with Rob Snow – 09:00-18:10 (CityNews Vancouver)

Multiple Canadian universities facing class-action lawsuit, claiming antisemitism (CTV News)

Quebec rejects proposal to have armed security guards in Montreal Jewish schools, places of worship (CTV News Montreal, + Bell Media Syndication)

Québec rejette la proposition d'avoir des agents de sécurité armés dans les écoles juives et les lieux de culte de Montréal (iHeart radio, + Bell media Syndication)

Protesters on Toronto’s Avenue Road bridge, in the heart of the Jewish community, can expect to be arrested, says police chief Myron Demkiw (The Canadian Jewish News)

Toronto police lay hate-crime charge against protester over ‘terrorist’ flag (The Globe and Mail)

Hate crimes increase in 2023, most calls about antisemitism: Toronto police (Global News)

Community Careers

Associate Director, University Relations and Public Education | Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver/CIJA

CEO, Ottawa Soloway Jewish Community Centre

Community Engagement Specialist | Jewish Federation of Ottawa

Associate Director, Community Security (Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver)

Director of Grants and Allocations (Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver/CIJA)

Vice President, Community Planning, Partnerships & Innovation (Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver)