November 25, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Government of Canada
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau;
Police statistics and the annual audit of Antisemitism in Canada, produced by B’nai Brith Canada, point directly at rising levels of Jew hatred with increased attacks against Jews and Jewish institutions. Despite being a very small percentage of the Canadian population, Jews are victims of the greatest number of hate crimes, and the number is escalating year over year.
We are appreciative of your having participated in a Summit on Antisemitism several years ago with the esteemed Irwin Cotler, so we ask that you immediately initiate a second summit. The Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation actively promotes the adoption and implementation of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, thus we applaud the release by Deborah Lyons, Special Envoy on Combating Antisemitism, of the Handbook on Antisemitism. Now is the time to address specific actions to counter, eliminate, and prevent the ongoing displays of antisemitism, in all its manifestations.
We note the recent motion adopted by the Senate, that urges the government to direct the Special Envoy to convene a second national summit to combat antisemitism. We hope this will be addressed as an immediate priority so that Canada does not experience a pogrom such as seen in Amsterdam, and our educational and other institutions coordinate efforts to address this ancient hatred. We ask the Government of Canada to support the Senate motion.
Sincerely,
Andria Spindel, Executive Director
Cc. Deborah Lyons
Pierre Poilievre
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