This week in Canadian Jewish advocacy | November 24, 2024

This week, we contacted the Prime Minister’s office expressing outrage regarding Canada’s endorsement of the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants for Israeli leaders. We mobilized Mississaugans to demand an unequivocal apology from their mayor for her offensive remarks and dismissive attitude toward the concerns of the Jewish community. And, because the administration at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Lincoln Alexander School of Law has been unwilling to meet with CIJA to discuss the external review of a letter replete with antisemitic content signed and circulated by students, we are sharing our response publicly with you.

For more information, read on.

CIJA 

On Thursday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued warrants for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant. The ICC discredits itself by taking a biased, anti-Israel stance, claiming that the alleged crimes date back to as early as October 8, 2023 – the day of mourning in Israel following Hamas’ attacks. By issuing arrest warrants against leaders of a country that is not a party to the ICC, the court has both made a mockery of international law and given solace to Hamas, Hezbollah — and, behind them, Iran — in their war efforts to exterminate Israel.  

We have expressed concern with the Government of Canada’s response – a broad approval and acceptance of the ICC’s biased stance and have raised the issues with both Prime Minister’s Office and Foreign Minister Joly’s office, reiterating CIJA’s position on the ICC decision highlighting its overt bias and its failure to hold accountable egregious violators of international law like Iran, Syria, and China. We have also invited members of our community and allies to tell their MP that Canada must reject this perversion of international law unequivocally and reaffirm its commitment to impartial justice. You can find your MP here and suggested messaging for an email here.

We will continue to monitor this critical issue closely and will provide further updates as they develop. Read our full statement here. 

At a recent Mississauga City Council meeting, after days of insisting that she would allow a vigil planned for terrorist Yayha Sinwar to take place on city property, and a continuous dismissive attitude toward the concerns of the Jewish community, Mayor Carolyn Parrish drew a deeply offensive comparison between deceased Hamas terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar and Nobel laureate Nelson Mandela. Her divisive actions and anti-Israel bias are especially concerning considering she is an elected leader whose role as mayor is to foster inclusivity.

On Monday, we mobilized the Jewish community to demand the Mayor provide an unequivocal apology by Friday, noting that if she did not, the community would ask Mississauga City Council to move to censure her until she recognizes the grave impact of her words and actions. We join the Jewish community in outrage that, as of this morning, she has not yet apologized. We now call on Mississauga City Council to put forward a motion to censure the mayor until she recognizes the dangerous impact of her words.

Click here to learn how to make your voice heard by City Councillors.  

In September, CIJA submitted a formal response to the Toronto Metropolitan University external review commissioned to determine whether a letter replete with antisemitic content, which was written, signed, and circulated by students at TMU’s Lincoln Alexander School of Law (LASL), breached TMU’s code of conduct. Prepared in conjunction with a panel of lawyers and academics, our response outlined the severe deficiencies in the Strengthening the Pillars: Report of the TMU External Review produced by Retired Chief Justice J. Michael MacDonald. The administration acknowledged our response and committed to meeting with us to discuss the issues we had raised. After several delays in setting a date, the university then cancelled the scheduled meeting and has since failed to agree to a new date to discuss our concerns. We are, therefore, now sharing our response with you. The situation at LALS remains problematic on many fronts. Concerned community members, alumni, faculty, and students should feel free to reach out to Dean Donna Young to express their own thoughts. Read our response here.

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 the Government to stand up to division and hate – reject APR

Hold Osgoode Professor Accountable for Antisemitism
CIJA is troubled by the ongoing actions of some academics which display a total disregard for academic integrity, including those of Osgoode Hall Law School's Professor Heidi Matthews’ harmful rhetoric and its impact on Osgoode's community and reputation. Graduates are invited to sign and share an open letter written by an alum expressing concern here.

Community Calendar

December 5 | Webinar: Anti-Palestinian Racism: Why It's Being Adopted by Activists and Institutions - Jewish Institute for Liberal Values
December 25 – January 2 | Chanukah

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

• More than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters gather at Regina city hall after outgoing mayor cancels flag raising (CBC News)
• ‘Completely disgraceful’: Mississauga councillor blasts handling of planned Hamas leader vigil on city property (Mississauga News)
• Des manifestants contestent l’annulation du lever du drapeau palestinien à Regina (ICI Radio-Canada)
• Outgoing Regina mayor cancels Palestinian flag raising at city hall (ICI Radio-Canada)
• Jewish leaders hope charges coming after police raid pro-Palestine activist’s Vancouver home (CTV News)
• Palestine flag raising cancellation prompts city hall demonstration in Regina (CTV News)
• Vancouver police raid a home linked to the director of Samidoun – which is now a terrorist entity in Canada (The Canadian Jewish News)
• Regina mayor demonstrates moral clarity in cancelling flag raising - Le Téléjournal (ICI Radio-Canada)
• Fallout from Regina flag raising cancellation (CTV News Saskatchewan)
• Jewish groups decry McGill’s decision to allow pro-Hamas speaker to give talk on campus (True North)
• Former justice minister Irwin Cotler says RCMP told him Iranian plot to kill him was foiled (CBC News)
• Some Concordia, Dawson students set to strike over Israel-Hamas War (The Montreal Gazette)
• Former N.S. NDP candidate for Eastern Passage district now running as an independent (CTV News Atlantic)
• Mississauga vigil for Hamas leader was called off – yet the Jewish community says the mayor should apologize for it (The Canadian Jewish News)
• Former NDP Candidate Now Running as an Independent (CKOA The Coast 89.7)
• CIJA reacts to plot against Irwin Cotler (QUB Radio)
• Le Canada déjoue un complot iranien visant à assassiner un ex-ministre (La Presse)
• MPs unanimously condemn alleged Iranian plot to kill Irwin Cotler (The Globe and Mail)
• Former N.S. NDP candidate running as Independent after criticism for Israel posts (Global News, + The Canadian Press Syndication)
• N.-É.: une ancienne candidate du NPD se présente comme indépendante (L’actualité, + syndication de La Presse Canadienne)
• Remembrance Day-style vigil for Hamas leader in Mississauga cancelled by organizers (True North)
• Hamas supporters cancel Mississauga vigil after intense advocacy by Jewish groups – Parrish questioned for ignoring policies (The Pointer)
• WARMINGTON: When protesters call for 'jihad' and people are hit with flagpoles, it's gone too far (Toronto Sun)
• Student strike: Dawson to close Thursday, Concordia warns against violence during protests (The Montreal Gazette)
• Dawson College to close Thursday after students hold strike in solidarity with Gaza (CTV News Montreal)
• Politics with integrity: A look at Nova Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender (Toronto Star, + Metroland Media Syndication)
• Le collège Dawson fermera son campus jeudi (La Presse)
• CIJA : Dawson’s decision to close sets dangerous precedent (CBC Radio One)
• Le collège Dawson ferme jeudi en raison de menaces (Le Canal Nouvelles)
• Grève de soutien à Gaza: le Collège Dawson fermera ses portes jeudi (TVA Nouvelles, + Syndication QMI)
• Not if, but when: Foreign Affairs Committee keys in on question of Palestinian statehood (The Hill Times)
• Mississauga mayor's history of anti-Israel statements revealed after Hamas vigil controversy (National Post)
• UBC investigating instructor following leaked audio of anti-Israel rant (CTV News Vancouver)
• Dawson College to close Thursday during pro-Palestinian student strikes (CBC News)
• Canadian MPs join international push for recognition of Palestinian state (CBC News)
• Could Dutch attacks happen here? (The Catholic Register)
• CIJA condemns Dawson’s decision to “capitulate to extremist voices from an aggressive and vocal minority” (Newstalk 800 CJAD)
• Michael Taube: PCs have lock on Nova Scotia election thanks to sound policies, incompetent opposition (National Post)
• Le Canada doit rejeter les mandats d'arrêt de la Cour pénale internationale contre les dirigeants israéliens (Le Journal de Montreal)
• High-profile PC incumbent faces Liberal and Independent challengers in Eastern Passage (CBC News)
• Nova Scotia election: Former NDP candidate speaks publicly after criticism for Israel posts (Global News)
• Trudeau says Canada would abide by ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu, former defence minister (The Globe and Mail)
• Quebec students take part in pro-Palestinian protests; Dawson College cancels classes (CityNews Montreal)
• Jewish OPSEU members concerned over union's antisemitism training provider (Toronto Sun, + Postmedia Syndication)
• Canada obligated under international law to arrest Netanyahu if he enters country: Trudeau (CityNews Toronto)
• Updated: Police probe alleged assault, vandalism after pro-Palestinian protest at Concordia (The Montreal Gazette)
• Montreal college cancels classes, closes for a day in light of anti-Israel protest (Jewish News Syndicate)
• CIJA reacts to ICC arrest warrants – The Tim Powers Show (590 VOCM)
• CIJA urges UBC to take action against professor after antisemitic rant in class (CTV News Vancouver)
• CIJA reacts to violent student protests in Montreal (CBC Radio One)
• Some Concordia, Dawson students set to strike over Israel-Hamas War (The Montreal Gazette)
• Trudeau would enforce ICC arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Gallant for post-Oct. 7 war crimes in Gaza (The Canadian Jewish News)
• Montreal’s Dawson College shut down by student strike in solidarity with Palestine; Concordia remained open despite protests (The Canadian Jewish News)