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Dear John, 

This week, we have called on the government to condemn the antisemitic statements of a UN official scheduled to visit Canada in November, and we’ve worked with allies opposing antisemitic agreements made by the University of Windsor. We appeared before a Queen’s University committee to argue against a proposed withdrawal of investments with ties to Israel, we saluted Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe's motion to explore implementing a Vulnerable Social Infrastructure bylaw to enhance safety for community spaces, and we took a moment to thank allies who have spoken up in support of our community.

For more information, read on.

Francesca Albanese, the UN’s so-called "Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967," who has a troubling history of statements and actions that reflect blatant antisemitism and a dangerous bias against Israel, is coming to speak at the University of Toronto on November 7. Her excusing of terrorism and minimizing the suffering of innocent Israeli civilians only serve to embolden those who seek to justify violence against Jews and delegitimize Israel’s right to defend itself against terror.

If you have not yet done so, click here to join the 7,500 Canadians who have already called on Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly to follow in the steps of Canada’s allies, including the United States, France, and Germany, and condemn Ms. Albanese’s peddling of Jew-hatred, toxicity, and division. It endangers all Canadians.

Together with Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, Allied Voices for Israel, StandWithUs Canada, Hillel BC, and Jewish Federation of Vancouver, we shared our deep concern about the recent surge of antisemitic incidents at the University of British Columbia (UBC), which have created a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. While we appreciate ongoing dialogue with UBC’s administration, we believe stronger, more decisive actions are needed to address this growing threat. We called on UBC to publicly condemn antisemitism, hold accountable any student groups promoting hate, and implement educational programs to foster a more inclusive campus. As a leading academic institution, UBC has a responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all members of its community. Read the full statement on our socials.

Earlier this year, the administration of the University of Windsor entered into agreements with the “Windsor Liberation Zone Team” and the University’s Student Alliance that are discriminatory, antisemitic, and incompatible with academic freedom, research integrity, institutional neutrality, and respectful dialogue. A motion to pause the implementation of these agreements by a member of the University’s Board of Governors has been opposed by a group called Scholars Strike Canada, which has also circulated a petition containing inflammatory and deceptive claims.In response, the Network of Engaged Canadian Academics (NECA, neca-rdace.org), a non-partisan organization dedicated to combating antisemitism on campus and representing nearly 400 diverse university faculty at 45 Canadian universities – including faculty the University of Windsor – has launched a petition that clarifies the distortions and misinformation characterizing the Encampment Agreements, the dangers they pose to Jewish students and faculty, and how they violate the values of academic freedom and intellectual integrity. CIJA is proud to support and collaborate with members of the local Jewish community and other organizations on this important issue. Sign the petition here. 

In August, CIJA submitted a formal submission to the Queen’s University Principal's Review Committee for Responsible Investing to combat the BDS movement's demands that the university divest from investments in Israeli companies. As a follow-up to our submission, CIJA had the opportunity to present a case against divestment to the committee in person. Our message was clear: The committee must reject these harmful divestment demands by recommending the Board of Trustees uphold its fiduciary responsibilities and create a safe campus environment for all. We emphasized the discriminatory intentions of the BDS movement, the real harm this causes the Jewish campus community, and the fiduciary responsibilities of the trustees that are not limited only to the financial health of the institution but include the social impact that must also be considered as part of the standard environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment factors in their decision.

CIJA is proud to work in coordination and strategically with the Queen's Jewish campus community to combat BDS efforts and other forms of antisemitism.

CIJA welcomes Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe's motion to explore implementing a Vulnerable Social Infrastructure bylaw to enhance safety for all community spaces, ensuring they remain welcoming and secure while respecting the right to peaceful protest. CIJA has been advocating for strengthened measures, including Safe Access legislation, to curtail months of targeted demonstrations marked by antisemitic chants, hateful signs, and physically intimidating behaviour impacting Jewish residents at community institutions, including a recent protest at Ottawa’s Soloway Jewish Community Centre and Hillel Lodge. We appreciate Mayor Sutcliffe's moral fortitude and his unwavering commitment to supporting Ottawa's Jewish community. Learn more. 

Every Canadian has a right to be safe in their community spaces and while accessing vital services. We encourage mayors of Canada's other large cities to follow Mayor Sutcliffe’s example. Further, we call on provincial and municipal governments across the country to amend or introduce legislation and bylaws to restrict protests near places of worship, schools, and community institutions.

In this article in the Times of Israel, CIJA vice-president Richard Marceau stresses the importance of allyship and solidarity with the Jewish community in the fight against antisemitism and expresses gratitude to the allies who have provided crucial support for the Jewish community since October 7. Read it here. 

     

Take Action

UN Rapporteur Albanese must be condemned
Tell Olivia Chow to Take Action on Antisemitism in Toronto

Community Calendar

November 11 | Remembrance Day

Community Careers

London Jewish Federation | Executive Director
Jewish Federation of Ottawa | Communications and Social Media Officer
Jewish Federation of Ottawa | Database Associate
Jewish Federation of Edmonton | Associate Director of Development
Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver | Manager, Jewish Community Foundation

CIJA in the News

Activités terroristes en forte croissance au pays: 25 personnes accusées (TVA Nouvelles, + syndication QMI)

Israel’s diaspora ministry report exposes antisemitism in Canada (True North)

Ottawa mayor wants ‘bubble bylaw’ for city as protests increase (National Post, + Postmedia Syndication)

Over 200 antisemitic crimes in Montreal since Oct.7,2023 (The Suburban)

Les ambitions de Mélanie Joly (Le Devoir)

WARMINGTON: Swastika scrawled on sidewalk more hate directed at Jewish residents (Toronto Sun, + Postmedia Syndication)

CIJA reacts to swastikas on sidewalk – Talk Radio (AM640)

Finding Hope in Hardships: Thank-you to Our Allies – The Blogs (Times of Israel)

Jewish OPSEU members file human rights complaints against union over antisemitic incidents (Western Standard)