Canadian Jewish group criticizes equating anti-Zionism with antisemitism — Anadolu Agency

Canadian Jewish organization Independent Jewish Voices criticized the Canadian government for linking anti-Zionism with antisemitism in a summer report by the Department of Public Safety. The group viewed the move as a concession to pro-Israel organizations, including the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, Anadolu Agency reports.

Independent Jewish Voices' position

In a post on social media platform X, the organization said that Ottawa had effectively redefined opposition to Zionism as antisemitism. According to IJV, this change threatens Canadians' right to freedom of expression.

The organization considers anti-Zionism a political position connected to opposition to settler colonialism in Palestine. IJV also said that this position entails support for Palestinians' right to live in safety and dignity, and that Jewish life can flourish without a violent ethnostate.

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Call to withdraw the definition

Independent Jewish Voices accused the government of distorting the public understanding of antisemitism. In the group's assessment, the new definition could restrict Canadians' right to protest against Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip, as well as threaten academic freedom and silence Palestinians and their supporters.

The organization called on Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and the Department of Public Safety Canada to withdraw the definition and recognize anti-Zionism as a legitimate political position. The criticism came after the release earlier this week of the summer progress report on Canada's National Commitments to Combat Antisemitism, which directly linked antisemitism with anti-Zionism.