"IHRA’s definition of antisemitism serves to silence human rights organizations and pro-Palestinian activists by conflating criticism of Israel’s apartheid and settler-colonial policies with antisemitism. It has been well-documented that supporters of IHRA routinely denounce various forms of non-violent and political expression such as boycott campaigns or protests, suppressing legitimate concerns raised by students, professors, activists, human rights and civil rights organizations, and humanitarian groups. The adoption of IHRA by schools and universities is not an “educational tool” but a threat to freedom of speech, freedom of thought, academia and most importantly, social justice and human rights."
June 1, 2023
To:
Leonard Linklater, Host, CBC Midday Café
Peter Sheldon, Radio and Podcast Producer, CBC North
Richard Gleeson, Senior Producer, CBC North
Jack Nagler, CBC Ombudsman
Dear Mr. Linklater, Mr. Sheldon, Mr. Gleeson, and Mr. Nagler,
I’m writing to you on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME, https://www.cjpme.org) to express my concerns regarding a radio segment on CBC North’s Midday Cafe with Leonard Linklater that aired on May 31, 2023.
The host, Mr. Linklater failed to pose any critical questions to the guest, Marvin Rotrand, regarding the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which is notoriously controversial. In an April 2023 letter to the UN Secretary-General and Under Secretary-General, over 100 civil-society organizations (including some in Israel) called on the UN to reject IHRA’s adoption because it protects Israel from legitimate criticism.
How did CBC miss this angle? This is a widely reported international story that is hardly more than a month old.
IHRA’s definition of antisemitism serves to silence human rights organizations and pro-Palestinian activists by conflating criticism of Israel’s apartheid and settler-colonial policies with antisemitism. It has been well-documented that supporters of IHRA routinely denounce various forms of non-violent and political expression such as boycott campaigns or protests, suppressing legitimate concerns raised by students, professors, activists, human rights and civil rights organizations, and humanitarian groups. The adoption of IHRA by schools and universities is not an “educational tool” but a threat to freedom of speech, freedom of thought, academia and most importantly, social justice and human rights.
Several Canadian organizations have opposed IHRA’s definition of antisemitism, emphasizing its weaponization and anti-Palestinian racism. These organizations include Independent Jewish Voices Canada, Canadian Labour Congress, Canadian Association of University Teachers, Canadian Arab Institute, and over 40 academic unions and associations – which you fail to mention or reference in your news segment.
Further, the description of B’nai Brith Canada given at the beginning of the segment obscured an essential aspect of B’nai Brith Canada’s work. In their own words, near the top of their “Who We Are” webpage, B’nai Brith describes itself as “a staunch defender of the State of Israel.”
By omitting such important context and voices, you fail in your journalistic mandate to provide a balanced report on IHRA’s definition of antisemitism. The use of IHRA to intentionally suppress Palestinians and their allies poses a threat to the Palestinian solidarity movement in Canada and around the world.
I insist that CBC North’s Midday Café with Leonard Linklater take action to provide this critical information in an upcoming segment. CJPME would be more than glad to recommend guests that could provide a more balanced perspective on this issue during a forthcoming episode.
Should you wish to discuss this matter further, you can contact me at 438-380-5410.
Sincerely,
Tayla Shair
Media Analyst, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East