OTTAWA — The federal government of Canada has formally identified "anti-Zionism" as a catalyst for anti-Jewish hate, marking a significant policy shift that has elicited a variety of reactions from different groups and individuals. This change was detailed in a report published by Public Safety Canada on September 24, 2023, as part of efforts initiated in January to combat antisemitism.

The report articulates Ottawa's commitment to recognizing and addressing "contemporary manifestations of antisemitism, including anti-Zionism." This terminology has sparked discussions on its implications for free speech and the broader understanding of Zionism and anti-Zionism.

What is Zionism?

The Canadian Oxford Dictionary defines Zionism as "a movement originally for the re-establishment and now the development of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel." The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, a self-identified Zionist organization, explains it as support for the Jewish people's right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland. Conversely, opponents of Zionism argue that the term represents a colonial mentality that facilitates the Israeli government’s subjugation of Palestinians and its territorial expansion.

Israel was established as a state in May 1948 after the conclusion of British rule over Palestine. This founding was marked by violent actions from Zionist paramilitaries against Palestinians and resulted in significant demographic shifts as Arab nations deported Jewish populations to Israel.

Carleton University political scientist Mira Sucharov conducted a survey in 2022 on American Jews’ perceptions of Zionism and anti-Zionism. She observed that self-identified Zionists and anti-Zionists discuss fundamentally different concepts; Jews tend to embrace Zionism when it entails a commitment to a Jewish and democratic state but reject it when framed as prioritizing Jewish rights over those of non-Jews in Israel.

What is anti-Zionism?

Debates surrounding the operation of Israel and its nature as a colonial enterprise have spanned decades among Jewish communities in Canada and globally. Independent Jewish Voices, an anti-Zionist organization, defines anti-Zionism as the rejection of Jewish settler-colonialism in Palestine and advocates for the dignity and safety of Palestinians. The Association for Canadian Studies has its own controversial definition, characterizing anti-Zionism as a movement that seeks to erase Israel and deny Jewish self-determination in their ancestral homeland.

The Network of Engaged Canadian Academics comments that modern anti-Zionism resembles historical justifications for Jew hatred, claiming that it portrays Jews—collectively as Israel—as uniquely malevolent. They argue that anti-Zionists dehumanize Jews, depicting them as dangerous settlers who occupy the rights of indigenous Palestinians.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, numerous Canadian Jews have reported experiencing the term "Zionist" as increasingly derogatory. Instances of Jewish people facing new slurs associated with Zionism have been documented, stemming from the violence that erupted following a Hamas attack on Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and led to Israel’s subsequent military actions in Gaza, which have claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives.

What has Ottawa said?

In its recent report, the Canadian government classified anti-Zionism as a contemporary manifestation of antisemitism, referencing a 2024 government document that did not directly address anti-Zionism. The report also highlighted a case in Windsor where a man was sentenced for public incitement of hatred after using "Zionists" derogatorily. It emphasized that this trend is emerging in Ontario, where some protesters use the term to deflect hate speech from criminal liability.

The Senate human rights committee, while examining antisemitism in Canada, chose not to engage with the terminology of anti-Zionism, with committee chair Sen. Paulette Senior stating the primary focus was on addressing the hatred itself.

What do proponents say?

Pro-Israel organizations, such as the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), have largely welcomed the government’s shift, asserting that Jewish Canadians are best positioned to describe their experiences with antisemitism. CIJA has argued that anti-Zionism contributes to violence against Canadians and can lead to the demonization of Israel, which empowers extremists targeting the Jewish community.

Liberal MP Anthony Housefather endorsed the report, suggesting it clarifies the Canadian government's acknowledgment of anti-Zionism as a form of antisemitism. University of Ottawa professor Michael Geist similarly supported the report, stating that anti-Zionism frequently acts as a thinly veiled expression of antisemitism.

What do opponents say?