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Canadian advocacy group Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) on Friday criticized the government of Prime Minister Mark Carney for explicitly defining anti-Zionism as a form of antisemitism, calling the move an “appalling capitulation” to pro-Israel organizations such as the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA).
In a post on the US social media platform “X”, IJV said Ottawa had quietly redefined opposition to Zionism as antisemitism. The group warned that the change “endangers all Canadians’ right to freedom of expression”.
Group says anti-Zionism is a political position
IJV said anti-Zionism represents opposition to what it described as settler colonialism in Palestine, which it said peaked during the 1948 Nakba and continues through Israeli policies. It also cited opposition to the construction of “apartheid walls” and what it called the “terrorizing of civilians by violent settlers”.
The organization said anti-Zionism reflects the belief that Palestinians, like all peoples, deserve to live in dignity and safety. It added that “Jewish life can flourish everywhere without a violent ethnostate”.
Criticism of antisemitism policy
IJV accused the government of distorting the public understanding of antisemitism and said the redefinition “writes over” the historical impact of Zionism on Palestinians.
The group warned that the policy could restrict Canadians’ right to protest Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip. It also said the move threatened academic freedom and silenced Palestinian voices and their supporters.
IJV called on Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Public Safety Canada to immediately withdraw the redefinition and recognize anti-Zionism as “a legitimate political viewpoint” grounded in anti-colonialism and human rights.
The criticism followed a progress report issued earlier this week by Public Safety Canada on its National Commitments to Combat Antisemitism. The report explicitly linked antisemitism with anti-Zionism.
