Combating the sinister cycle of Jew-hatred in Canada

In recent years, Canada has experienced a deepening trend of anti-Jewish hatred and an increase in the number and severity of anti-Semitic incidents, making this a national emergency. As with any national emergency, addressing the challenges facing communities across Canada requires national unity and a call for joint action from all sectors of society.

Jews 'under siege' in Trudeau's Canada amid rising anti-Semitism

Last year, Hamas released a video of one of the group's leaders, Ghazi Hamad, thanking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his support. It was a shocking moment that should have been a wake-up call for every Canadian of conscience. Then, to the surprise of many, Canada voted in favor of a non-binding UN resolution calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in the war between Israel and Hamas. This marked a major departure from Canada's historical pattern of supporting the Jewish state at the UN in the fight against terrorism.

Toronto Police respond to viral video of officers delivering coffee to anti-Israel protesters

Prime Minister Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly appear to be siding with the hosts of terror at a time when Western nations are fighting an insurgency perpetrated by those perpetrating foreign terrorist plots on Canadian soil. Trudeau's moral ambiguity in his words and actions seems to lend support to a violent terrorist organization notorious for its relentless mission to eradicate the Jewish people.

Unfortunately, the moral failings of Canadian leaders extend to other levels of government, with some mayors siding with terrorists and contributing to feelings of insecurity in the Jewish community. The absence of strong moral leadership in Canada has contributed greatly to the rise of extremist behavior by a small but extremely radicalized segment of the population.

A large number of terrorists arrested in North America in recent months were either residing in Canada or were Canadian nationals, exposing a lax immigration system that fails to weed out extremists – another failure by the current administration to protect the national interest.

A recent exposé by the Canary Mission revealed that as many as 154 professors at the University of Toronto were involved in extremist activities.

The lack of strong moral leadership has opened the door on university campuses across Canada to promote anti-democratic narratives such as oppressor-oppressed dynamics, colonialism, and “woke” left-wing ideology. These are supported by a higher education system that is primarily funded by both the federal and provincial governments, unlike in the United States, where funding is more diverse.

Unfortunately, academic freedom and higher education have become breeding grounds for extremism. A recent exposé by Canary Mission revealed that 154 professors at the University of Toronto were involved in extremist activities. It is no wonder that students are becoming increasingly radicalized.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at a press conference in Jerusalem on September 2, 2024. (OHAD ZWIGENBERG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Foreign funding is also cited as a major concern, as highlighted in discussions with Canadian elected officials on the justice committee. The use of dark money to fund student groups and extremist ideology must be stopped, as must Canadian donations to organizations that indirectly support terrorism.

That's why the Lawfare Project, a nonprofit civil rights advocacy group I founded, has begun an investigation into the Canadian government's funding of UNRWA.

Legal accountability goes hand in hand with imposing social consequences to denormalize Jew-hatred. As we've learned from other social justice movements, grassroots mobilization is key, which is why I also founded the #EndJewHatred movement. Without accountability, these behaviors will continue to exist unchecked.

The #EndJewHatred movement unites individuals across the United States to join in the campaign to defend Jewish civil rights. National collaboration amplifies our voices, enables meaningful dialogue, and fosters concerted action to confront hatred and promote tolerance.

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Our work to promote unity extends beyond grassroots movements to educational institutions: after anti-Semitic protesters violently disrupted an event hosted by Jewish organization Herut at York University, leading to the suspension of both organizations, Lawfare Project's pro bono legal services helped York University reinstate Herut and harshly criticize the protest organizers.

We have partnered with Canadian lawyers to bring lawsuits against the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) and McMaster University to address pervasive and systemic anti-Semitic discrimination. These legal actions not only protect Jewish Canadians, but also ensure that discrimination has no place in Canada and reinforce our democratic values.

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Over the past year, anti-Jewish hatred has risen in Canada, as masked mobs have taken to the streets in support of foreign terrorist organizations intent on destruction and genocide. Our communities are increasingly empowered to stand up, collaborate with our allies, and fight for democracy. Our immediate challenge is to chip away at institutionalized anti-Jewish hatred by exposing the hatred, exposing the haters, and subjecting them to legal and social sanctions.

Brooke Goldstein is a human rights lawyer, founder of the Lawfare Project, and author of “Ending Jewish Hatred: A Mobilization Manual.”