Independent Jewish Voices, Jewish Faculty Network, and United Jewish People’s Order Canada cautiously welcome the announcement of Canada’s new Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion. We expect this new body to address antisemitism through a broader anti-racist lens, rather than in ways that entrench or contribute to other forms of discrimination, notably anti-Palestinian racism and Islamophobia.
We were alarmed to learn that the now former Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia was not consulted prior to the elimination of her position. We recognize Amira Elghawaby’s valuable contributions through this role, and hope that the important work of her office will continue to be drawn upon by the government.
Going forward, we expect the government to demonstrate a more principled and consultative approach to fighting antisemitism as part of its broader approach to anti-racism. This approach must include meaningful engagement with anti-racist Jewish, Palestinian, and Muslim organizations, as well as the appointment of qualified experts to the new Advisory Council whose perspectives are grounded in principles of anti-oppression and racial justice. It must also include official recognition of anti-Palestinian racism.
A coherent approach to anti-racism must furthermore involve the removal of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism from Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, the disavowal of Canada’s IHRA handbook, the official dissolution of the role of federal delegate to IHRA, and other steps taken to repair the damage caused by Canada’s harmful embrace of it.
The IHRA definition of antisemitism misrepresents the historical and lived reality of antisemitism. By inaccurately and dangerously conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism, it has been used to suppress freedom of expression, including criticism of actions of the State of Israel and advocacy for Palestinian human rights, thus reinforcing antisemitic stereotypes and perpetuating Anti-Palestinian racism.
Canada must develop a conjoint approach to anti-racism that confronts the real and growing threats posed to our society and the safety of all our residents. This requires embracing alternative frameworks for understanding antisemitism that seek to unite our communities against racism and oppression, rather than pit them against one another.