Confronting antisemitism in Canada requires more than polite acknowledgment - opinion

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently addressed the "scourge of antisemitism" plaguing Canada, acknowledging in a speech at a large synagogue that "Canada’s civic compact is failing Jewish Canadians." He also highlighted the importance of the IHRA definition in identifying antisemitism.

However, the author of this opinion piece argues that Carney's speech largely sidestepped crucial questions. These include the reasons behind the surge in antisemitism, the individuals or groups fueling it, and the specific actions planned to confront it. The author contends that while Carney used appropriate language, he fell short of the leadership needed to directly address the drivers of contemporary antisemitism in Canada.

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Canada’s civic compact is failing Jewish Canadians

The piece asserts that Jewish Canadians have faced sustained antisemitism, including hate rallies and intimidation, over the past five years. It criticizes the speech for failing to address how antisemitism has evolved to demonize, delegitimize, and apply double standards to Israel, often coded as anti-Zionism. The author also points to the systematic manipulation of facts and human rights language to normalize these narratives.

Furthermore, the article criticizes the speech for not acknowledging the role of Islamic extremism or how some institutions promoting inclusion have excluded Jewish concerns. It also notes the prime minister's failure to reflect on how government policies, such as funding organizations with alleged ties to antisemitism and terrorist entities, might be shaping and fueling the environment where antisemitism thrives. The author suggests that the government's approach to Israel also impacts the lived experiences of many Jewish Canadians.

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if that covenant fails for one of our communities, it fails us all.