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Dear John,

Thirty years ago, Canada looked to Israel to become its first free-trade partner outside North America. Today, trade is stronger than ever, reaching a record $2.15 billion, yet the relationship between our governments is at a low point.

In the Financial Post, CIJA Vice President of Communications Howard Fremeth explains why Canada cannot afford to neglect Israel – a global leader in technology, innovation, and national security.

Also in this week’s recap: watch the full interview with our CEO and CNN's Wolf Blitzer on the on recent attacks of Jewish-owned businesses in Toronto and rising violent extremism across Western democracies; read about the latest report on the state of antisemitism across the Diaspora; and learn how you can support Gail Asper—whose family was instrumental in bringing the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Museum to life—to hold Museum leadership accountable for the failures in governance and curation of its controversial Nakba exhibit.

Shabbat Shalom,

The CIJA Team

As global attention turns to what Prime Minister Carney has called Canada's antisemitism crisis, CIJA CEO Noah Shack joined CNN's Wolf Blitzer to discuss the shared threat facing Canada, the U.S., Australia, and other Western democracies.

“It’s a multifaceted threat that’s ultimately changing Canada in dangerous ways,” said Shack.

In recent days, extremists have targeted Jewish-owned businesses and the U.S. Consulate in Toronto. Police have also charged a prominent pro-Palestinian protest leader with alleged ties to Hamas.

Violent extremism knows no borders. Our countries must work hand in glove to confront those endangering our national security and democratic way of life.

Since Canada and Israel signed a free trade agreement on July 31, 1996, bilateral trade has more than tripled and many of Canada's largest companies established a presence in Israel.

Today, despite record-high bilateral trade of $2.15 billion in 2025, relations between the Canadian and Israeli governments are at a low point, straining the broader relationship.

That is a missed opportunity, according to our VP of Communications, Howard Fremeth.

As Prime Minister Mark Carney and his ministers travel the world in search of new markets and investors, Israel offers something few countries can: a fast-growing economy built on cutting-edge technology, rapid commercialization and a young, highly innovative workforce.

For months, our community and our organizations warned about the lack of transparency, consultation, and rigour in the development of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights' controversial Nakba exhibit.

Now Gail Asper—whose family was instrumental in bringing the Museum to life—says they will no longer support the institution because it has been weaponized by activists.

"You have one of the federal government institutions funded by the taxpayer weaponized as an institution that promotes a very misguided view of Jewish and Israeli history. It can’t help but create misunderstandings.”

Read more in the Winnipeg Free Press. 

Then take action. Tell the Board of Trustees to hold Museum CEO Isha Khan accountable for the egregious mishandling of this exhibit.

Antisemitism is a scourge spread across Western democracies.

A new report from the J7 — representing the seven largest Jewish communities in the Diaspora — finds that 2025 was the deadliest year for antisemitic violence since the 1994 AMIA bombing in Argentina, with 20 people murdered in attacks in Sydney, Manchester, Washington, D.C., and Boulder.

Across the J7 countries, which represent more than 90% of the global Jewish Diaspora, antisemitic incidents have increased 136% since 2022, with violent incidents up 97%.

CIJA joined our J7 partners to call on our respective governments and law enforcement agencies to move from reaction to prevention — taking concrete steps to protect Jewish communities before attacks occur by closing legal loopholes that allow antisemitic incitement, including when disguised as anti-Zionism, to go unpunished.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, the advocacy agent of Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA, represents vibrant Jewish communities across the country that contribute immensely to Canadian society, advocating for a brighter future for Jewish communities and all Canadians.

Le CIJA, le Centre consultatif des relations juives et israéliennes, est l'organisme de défense des intérêts des Fédérations juives du Canada-UIA et représente ainsi les communautés juives organisées de tout le pays, lesquelles contribuent au tissu social canadien en favorisant un avenir meilleur pour tous.