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Over the past few weeks, Jewish Canadians and supporters have been voicing their concerns about the use of antisemitism by the Canadian authorities. While authorities make constant statements that ‘anti-Semitism has no place in Canada’, their critics further claim that these are only words that do nothing to combat this growing trend in the country.
Public Reaction: A Demand for Action
The criticism has prompted David Frum, a well-known political analyst to call out on officials rolling out statements that remain unpractical. He tweeted:
Public officials say again and again, "antisemitism has no place in Canada."
— David Frum (@davidfrum) November 23, 2024
It's an interesting formula – one that denies the existence of something, without quite mustering the nerve to condemn that something – and especially not those who practice that something. 1/x
His tweet has started a chain reaction in the media, with many Canadian citizens calling out on the government’s conditioned response. To bring the avalanche of attacks on Canada, Frum said:
At this point, it's possible to recite the growing list of locations in Canada where it would be more accurate to say that the antisemites have prevailed – and Jews have no place, at least no safe place. END
— David Frum (@davidfrum) November 23, 2024
Multiple users of the Twitter platform have sided with Frum’s argument, especially focusing on the discrepancy between official rhetoric and the reality faced by Jewish Canadians. @RobertAWiseman expressed the irritation:
We don’t need more empty words. We need meaningful action from all level of governments and rigorous enforcement of the law!
— Robert Wiseman (@RobertAWiseman) November 23, 2024
“Peace, order and good government”! We’re not getting any of these!
Other people, on the contrary, like @MollieNotMaggie saw the generalizations regarding what people say and what they do, which points to the increasing feeling of either hopelessness or better, resignation among certain groups.
My BC NDP MLA, @GraceALore denies the rising aggression toward Jewish people that is happening here. There were keffiyeh-wrapped thugs in this crowd, all cheering her on, heckling her opponent @timthielmann pic.twitter.com/98BQzgC4kt
— Mollie Kaye (@MollieNotMaggie) November 24, 2024
The Statistics That Account for Increased Antisemitism
Canadian Anti-Hate Network’s 2023 report indicates that Canadian society witnessed another surge in antisemitism. The statistics reflect that there has been an increase in antisemitism by 50 percent in the last two years and more than 500 documented partisan attacks in the year 2022 itself. Most of these incidents were oral and primarily consisted of slurs or abuse against Jewish persons or establishments devoted to Judaism. However, it is also necessary to note that this research highlighted a worrisome trend of increased physical assaults.
Specifically, cases where Jewish institutions including synagogues are targeted have been on the rise. In the year 2023, there was a 60% escalation of reported security issues amongst Jewish community centers, which resulted in many of them increasing their security measures. This upsurge in trend is consistent with what has been unfolding globally, with similar increases in the cases of anti-Semitism being reported in Europe and the US.
As frustrating as these statistics are, Frum and other dissenters pointed out that words like “antisemitism has no place in Canada” issued in official statements were not enacted in real-time. A number of them are seeking policies that disallow mere denunciation of the problem and instead impose punishment on the abusers with teeth. @CherylFRosen tweeted:
Unfortunately it has found a place in Canada. More needs to be done to remove that place. Action not more words.
— Cheryl Rosen (@CherylFRosen) November 24, 2024
The International Context: Are Other Countries Doing Better?
There is nothing exceptional about the topic regarding Canada’s scenario of antisemitism as it has also been observed in other democratic nations. Even in Europe and the US, where voices are against antisemitism, the incidents have been increasing. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), in the US in the year 2022, incidents of antisemitism increased by 34% compared to the previous year, a record that was the highest.
On the other hand, other countries like Germany have countered these criticisms with tough measures against hate speech by adopting laws against hate speech that comprise Holocaust denial and support of antisemitic organizations online. These attempts, however, have raised questions regarding freedom of speech, which Canadian lawmakers are going to have to balance in the near future.
Take Action: Develop Comprehensive Legal Frameworks
As David’s tweets indicate there is a surge in antisemitism across Canada, and most citizens are pushing for comprehensive legal constitutions that will protect them. People are talking about how they simply cannot make it about ‘naming the problem. They have to go further in affecting how its real root causes are addressed in policymaking and the legislation. He made a similar point when he said:
“It’s one thing to name the problem; it’s one thing to think about it; and it’s a different thing altogether to have the problem solved by real consequences and to take action to prevent them”
Similarly, Marilyn Baker remarked:
Our leaders, the ones in charge of running Canada, are acting like they have front row seats at a play and they are clucking about how bad the plot is.
— Marilyn Baker (@GrannaBaker) November 24, 2024
No place in my country for antisemitism. Ain’t it awful? Tsk.
How about asking the police to enforce the laws of the land?
This is the case with Jewish leaders who have been increasing their voices and calling for the introduction of stronger anti-hate speech laws and more financial support for protecting Jewish organizations.
Others have proposed that Canada might benefit from adopting foreign examples, such as the inclusion of penalties for hate crimes, including antisemitic acts, along with the establishment of an all-Canadian educational campaign on the need to be wary of hate speech.
The Worrying Trend of Increasing Antisemitism Incidents
Apart from the statistical rise in antisemitic incidents, attention should be shifted to the growing sense of vulnerability among Jews in Canada. In a survey by the Jewish Federation of Canada, 43% of the Jewish respondents said they felt less secure in the community than they were five years back. More than 60% claimed to have heard or even seen comments in support of antisemitism on social media, and nearly 40% believed that the reporting on the Israel-Palestine issue by the mass media had fueled hate growing.
The sceptic view held by Frum in his Twitter thread and the increasingly number of people’s voices in social media who are expressing disagreement with the government is consistent with this fear.
‘Jews should not be made to suffer, nor should the government just be in the business of sending sympathies ‘ said Frum.
The Case for Change
The discourse on antisemitism is heated and nationalistic attitudes seem to be growing. Figures like Frum however should continue to raise the alarm but instead of only relying on one person’s actions the government needs to focus on delivering instead of just making empty promises and futile rhetoric. There is an unbearable amount of antisemitic actions occurring and it is high time that officials take the necessary steps to develop a tangible action plan.
The next federal elections are scheduled for 2025 and this will be a hot topic. The entire Canadian populace but in particular the marginalized sections of society are eager to see if the government takes the needed steps to combat antisemitism and issue forceful statements – “it has no place in this country”.
Last Updated on by Icy Canada Team
