The Media Accountability Project  

"Criticism of the Israeli government also costs many of those individuals in terms of their professional and political lives and roles. A fear of speaking out silences those voices within government settings, academic institutions and other public institutions."

I stress that rejecting Israeli policies and war crimes against Palestinians should not be conflated with questioning Israel's existence, particularly amidst ongoing allegations of genocide. The timing of these protests against genocide underscores the urgency of addressing injustices rather than dismissing legitimate criticisms.

"Making clear the differences between antisemitism and anti-Zionism is important for free speech and for Palestinian human rights groups who rightfully criticize Israel’s apartheid."

"BDS is often maligned as an antisemitic movement, but the BDS movement, in its own words, “upholds the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity.” The movement was inspired by the boycott of South African apartheid, and simply upholds the human rights of Palestinians."

On June 6, 2023, CBC Midday Café interviewed CJPME Vice-President Michael Bueckert about the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, and the threats that it poses to free speech and activism related to Israel’s human rights violations against Palestinians. CJPME had previously sent a letter of concern following the show’s one-sided May 31 interview with pro-Israel group B’nai Brith Canada that celebrated Yukon’s proposal to adopt the definition but omitted any mention of the international controversy surrounding it. During the interview, Bueckert argued:

Governments should not be undermining our ability to talk about the human rights violations of any country or taking away our ability to protest racism and injustice anywhere.

CJPME applauds CBC for making an effort to restore balance to their coverage on this matter. You can also read the original letter to Midday Cafe that led to the interview here.

"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."

"To put it simply, B’nai Brith deliberately conflates incidents of antisemitic speech and violence with pro-Palestinian activism and criticism of Israeli policies. Right at the top of the cover page, the report includes an image of pro-Palestinian demonstrators urging a boycott of Israeli wine and places it directly next to antisemitic and white supremacist content."

The use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism is unchallenged despite its attempt to conflate criticism of Israel’s apartheid policies with antisemitism and silence human rights organizations and pro-Palestinian activists.

"You rightfully call attention to criticism of IHRA in its use to repress and silence Palestine activism. It is very critical for Canadian audiences to be aware of this criticism seeing as IHRA has been adopted in many forums with little or no debate. Unfortunately, it has subsequently been used to undermine the free expression of many activists and human rights organizations fighting for Palestinian rights."

Your article highlighted several critical voices regarding the motion to redefine antisemitism based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). I am especially happy to see that you mention the impact adopting IHRA’s definition could have on solidarity and advocacy for Palestinian self-determination.