Advocacy@HBT: Action from our Government & Interfaith Alliances
The week of November 27, 2024
CIJA speaks to the Prime Minister / Interfaith Israel trip / Deborah Lyons video
- CIJA calls on the Prime Minister to act
- Interfaith Israel Trip, film screening, information and study session on December 5th
- Watch the recording of our programme with Deborah Lyons
CIJA calls on the Prime Minister and high-ranking ministers in public safety and justice to take action against radicalization and hate crimes in Canada. CIJA has four asks for the federal government, in the hope that their implementation will reduce the staggering rate of antisemitic acts in Canada. You can learn more about their proposal here, and add your voice to the chorus that says the government needs to act now!
Join Rabbi Splansky and Rev. Jason Bayasee, Senior Pastor of Timothy Eaton Church, to learn more about their upcoming trip to Israel in May 2025. One of the greatest acts of advocacy we can do is to continue making alliances with like-minded friends outside of the Jewish community. Travel opens the heart, and the relationships that are forged on this trip will be vital and transformational.
In a fireside chat with our very own Tom Friedland, Deborah Lyons discussed the recent release of the Government of Canada’s Handbook on the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, her role on the federal stage, working with our non-Jewish allies, and how we can all participate in combatting antisemitism in schools, the workplace, and the public square. Click here to see the IHRA Handbook.
Learn more about Advocacy@HBT here.
The week of November 13, 2024
CIJA and Anti-Palestinian Racism (APR)
This week CIJA is working hard to educate about the nuances and political agenda behind the phrase “Anti-Palestinian Racism.” While ‘all Canadians, including Palestinian Canadians, are entitled to full protection under Canada’s robust human rights laws…’ there are several concerns that a formal adoption of this policy will be weaponized and result in a restriction of legitimate expressions of support for Israel and Jewish identity.
Of primary concern is that the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which has been adopted by Canada, is in direct conflict with some of the proposed language included in APR. “APR conflates political opinions about Israel with racism, a stance that goes against the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances (IHRA) definition…”
CIJA has also prepared a letter of concern for the Prime Minister and Minister Khera, the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities. You can read it, and sign your name if you so wish, at this link.
