This Week in Canadian Jewish Advocacy, November 6, 2022
Throughout November, Holocaust Education Month, Jewish communities around the world will host events and programs promoting the legacy and lessons of the Holocaust, in memory of the six million Jewish lives lost at the hands of the Nazi regime.
Programs and events are happening virtually across Canada throughout the month. Check out the calendar here
If you needed proof of the vibrancy of Israel’s democracy, the Jewish state has just held its fifth election in just three years. No fewer than 39 parties stood for election, representing an incredible number of choices for voters across the political spectrum. Voter turnout was higher than average, especially among the younger demographic.
We congratulate Benjamin Netanyahu on his electoral success and the millions of Israelis for participating in the Middle East's only democratic elections. Given the proportional representation parliamentary democracy system, we will not know the final makeup of the governing coalition for some time. Until then, we’ll continue to monitor and track developments as a coalition of elected parties starts to form and the next Israeli government becomes clear.
It is deeply concerning that, despite its overt ties to terror, Samidoun continues to be free to operate as a not-for-profit in Canada. That Barakat was slated to promote the founder of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a Canadian-listed terrorist entity, at an event featuring PFLP posters, combined with countless other glorifications of terrorists and incitements to violence, should be more than enough to warrant action. We reiterate our calls to Public Safety to investigate and list Samidoun as a terrorist entity.
– Shimon Koffler Fogel, President and CEO, CIJA
Last weekend, pro-Palestinian activists marched across Brussels at an event run by Samidoun, a group identified by the Israeli government as a front for the PFLP, a recognized terrorist organization. Wearing symbols of terrorist organizations and carrying posters glorifying known terrorists, participants shouted violent anti-Israel slogans. Similar protests also took place in many other locations worldwide, including Vancouver.
Alleged terrorists and Canadian residents Khaled Barakat and Charlotte Kates, both of whom have documented connections to the PFLP and Samidoun, were denied entry to Belgium and summarily deported.
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After Brooklyn Nets player Kyrie Irving drew wide criticism for posting a link to a film widely deemed to be antisemitic, Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America, on his Twitter feed in October, the NBA stated, "Hate speech of any kind is unacceptable and runs counter to the NBA's values of equality, inclusion and respect."
While not explicitly apologizing, Irving said on Wednesday that he opposes all forms of hate and has taken responsibility for the negative impact on the Jewish community caused by his promotion of the antisemitic documentary.
He announced that he and the Brooklyn Nets will each donate $500,000 to groups working to eradicate antisemitism and hate and that the Nets will also work with the ADL to develop inclusive educational programming to combat all forms of bigotry and antisemitism.
| November | Holocaust Education Month |
| November 6 | Rise Up Ottawa |
| November 11 | Remembrance Day |
| November 19-21 | #nomoreantisemitism International Conference 2022 |
- Associate Director Communications and Media Relations (Quebec)
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Associate Director, Partnerships and Community Engagement (Quebec)
Executive Director | Kehillat Beth Israel, Ottawa
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