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Dear John, 

This week, we successfully petitioned to submit observations to the International Criminal Court regarding accusations of war crimes against Israel. We have spoken out on the dangers of letting antisemitism take hold, and we continued our efforts to ensure kosher meat remains accessible in Canada. Read on to learn more. 

CIJA

This week, CIJA was granted leave to submit observations in the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor’s application to seek arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes in relation to Israel’s current war of self-defence against Hamas in Gaza. This follows the June 27 ruling by ICC judges to allow states and organizations to request leave to file amicus curiae (friend of the court) observations in the case. When CIJA determined that the Canadian government did not request to submit observations and provide submissions on the extent – or limitations – of the court’s jurisdiction, the organization took the initiative to do so on behalf of the Canadian Jewish community. Read our full statement here. 

Following the attempted stabbing of IDF troops outside Netiv Ha'asara, a moshav near Gaza where Hamas murdered 20 residents on October 7, David Cooper, Vice President, Government Relations, spoke to the National Post about the dangers to society when governments and officials let growing violence and anti-Israel rhetoric run unchecked. Read the article here. 
 

Earlier in July, CIJA joined MK Global Kosher Certification Agency (MK) and the Kashruth Council of Canada (COR), the two largest Canadian kosher certifying agencies, as well as various Jewish community stakeholders including Federation CJA and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, in seeking the suspension of new Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) guidelines that have been significantly impacting the viability of shechita (ritual kosher slaughter).

This week, the Federal Court granted an interlocutory injunction against the CFIA to protect the continued production of kosher meat in Canada. We remain committed to working with our community stakeholders and the CFIA to achieve a permanent solution that satisfies both CFIA regulatory objectives and the imperative to secure access to kosher food. Read our full statement here. 

Police-reported hate crime data for 2023 published yesterday by Statistics Canada validate the concern about which the Jewish community has been warning: antisemitism has risen to levels unseen in modern times. Learn more. 

In the National Post, Deborah Lyons, Canada's Special Envoy for Preserving Holocaust Remembrance & Combatting Antisemitism, addresses the critical need for Canadians to demonstrate their allyship with the Jewish community. Read it here. 

Take Action

University of Windsor Must Be Accountable to its Jewish Students
It’s time to condemn Hezbollah!

Community Calendar

July 31 | An Evening of Solidarity Against Hate (Toronto)
July 31 | CHW 'Screams Before Silence' screening & panel discussion
August 5 | Civic Holiday (CIJA offices in Ontario and BC closed) 
August 12 | Tisha B’av (Starts at sunset)

CIJA in the News  

Canada’s Jewish community wins court reprieve halting new federal kosher slaughter rules (The Canadian Jewish News) 

Jewish union members condemn PSAC after negotiator praised October 7 (National Post, + Postmedia Syndication) 

Trio of staff additions, title changes in Justice Minister Virani’s shop (The Hill Times) 

Canadian knife attack in Israel called 'wake-up call' over problem of homegrown extremism (National Post, + Postmedia Syndication) 

Montreal mayor warned to act on anti-Israel messages on road signs (National Post, + Postmedia Syndication) 

More CIJA in the News 

Community Careers

Content Creator (CIJA)
Copywriter (CIJA)
Media Relations Associate (CIJA)
Manager, Communications, Ontario (CIJA)
Hillel Director (Jewish Federation of Edmonton)
Vice President/Director of Development (Jewish Federation of Ottawa/Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation)
Communications and Social Media Officer (Jewish Federation of Ottawa)