The B'nai Brith audit notoriously conflates antisemitism and anti-Zionism, leading Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) to describe the report as a "dangerous document that promotes anti-Palestinian racism and misrepresents the important reality of antisemitism in Canada." IJV also asserts that the methodology employed by the B'nai Brith is "sloppy" and says it "lacks transparency and independent verification."
June 1, 2026
Dear Catherine Morrison, Tim Cook, and Andrea Baillee,
I'm writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) to express concern about a couple of aspects of the recent article, "Carney set to outline how Ottawa plans to combat rise in antisemitism," published in many outlets including the Toronto Star.
The article states:
"Jewish advocacy group B’nai Brith says anti-Jewish hatred is being normalized in Canada and the number of antisemitic incidents topped 6,800 in 2025 — the highest number recorded since 1982."
We are worried that the Canadian Press is using B'nai Brith's Annual Audit of Antisemitism as a source, let alone in such an unqualified manner.
The B'nai Brith audit notoriously conflates antisemitism and anti-Zionism, leading Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) to describe the report as a "dangerous document that promotes anti-Palestinian racism and misrepresents the important reality of antisemitism in Canada." IJV also asserts that the methodology employed by the B'nai Brith is "sloppy" and says it "lacks transparency and independent verification."
IJV's position has been reflected in their past research as well. This year's report is not different from other recent versions.
CJPME also compiled examples of B'nai Brith's problematic audit, you can read our full assessment on why "Journalists Should Question B'nai Brith 'Antisemitism Audit.'"
For your convenience, here are just a couple of alleged examples of "antisemitism" that B'nai Brith has published. Keep in mind, these are just part of the small sample that B'nai Brith makes available, the exact number of incidents resembling these are unknown.
We hope that the Canadian Press will see in these images that rather run-of-the-mill speech that is critical of Israel is being labelled as "antisemitism," and this should alarm fair-minded journalists about the quality and content of the B'nai Brith report.
CJPME is urging the Canadian Press to clarify that B'nai Brith's annual audit is highly contested, and to refrain from citing the report in the future unless it is fairly qualified.
We invite CP to cite other statistics about antisemitism, not a highly partisan report by an explicitly pro-Israel lobbying group that has actively pushed Canadian politicians to "Unconditionally support Israel’s efforts" since October 7, 2023, according to public records.
We also are raising concern about the following sentence:
"The spike follows the October 2023 attack by Hamas militants on Israel, which prompted Israel to bomb the Gaza Strip, drawing widespread condemnation for aid restrictions and the destruction of infrastructure."
While we consider it positive that CP is reporting on the condemnation surrounding Israel's genocide in Gaza, we are alarmed by the reductive and misleading way Israel's attacks and the subsequent outcry are described. Israel did not merely "bomb the Gaza Strip," but invaded it with ground troops and a brutal blockade. Further, Israel occupied wide swaths of the territory and Netanyahu is now pushing for the military to occupy 70% of Gaza.
The condemnation goes far beyond "aid restrictions and the destruction of infrastructure." While we understand that there are limits to what details can be included, it seems more than an oversight to omit the at least 75,000 Palestinians killed by Israel. Mass civilian casualties were arguably the largest driver of condemnation from the international community — it is odd to omit.
We hope you will improve this kind of language in future reporting.
To be sure, we are sympathetic that reporting on this beat can probably feel like a minefield, but our recommendations are made in good faith and are based on professional journalistic standards. We hope you will consider this feedback.
Sincerely,
Jason Toney
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