Dear ,

For too long now, Palestinians and their supporters have been attacked, maligned and smeared simply because we’ve spoken out against Israeli apartheid, or in favour of BDS.

As we approach a provincial by-election in Hamilton Centre on March 16th, Ontario NDP candidate Sarah Jama has been caught in the crosshairs of B’nai Brith Canada in a vicious smear campaign. B’nai Brith is alleging that Jama is antisemitic because of her commendable support for BDS and Palestinian human rights. What’s more troubling is that they seem to be using the toxic IHRA definition as the barometer for concluding that Jama is antisemitic. This smear campaign against Jama, a Black woman, in the days leading up to a byelection is unfounded and racist.

We say these attacks are racist because there is a documented pattern of false accusations of antisemitism that the pro-Israel lobby overwhelmingly levels against people of colour. They perpetuate anti-Palestinian racism, and contribute to a climate of toxicity where racialized people are prevented from speaking out in support of other justice-seeking groups. Recall that earlier this month in Halifax, Palestinian high school students were told by the principal to take off their keffiyehs because they are a “sign of war”.

Unfortunately, the allegations against Jama were reported on uncritically by Rob Ferguson at the Toronto Star. We encourage you to write a letter to the editor at the Star to refute the baseless attacks, and to remind them that calling for Palestinian liberation or supporting BDS isn’t antisemitic. Send your letters (150 words max) to lettertoed@thestar.ca.

I’m thankful to say that IJV members are taking action not only against this attack, but against the ability and legitimacy of the pro-Israel lobby to wage similar attacks in the future. Over the weekend, two of our members met with Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles in Kingston. In the meeting, Stiles reiterated her support for Jama’s candidacy, and we also pushed the ONDP to speak out against the IHRA definition. The meeting was very positive, and we’re grateful to Stiles for taking our concerns seriously.