“From the list of modern day atrocities, many Zionist supporters judiciously and habitually omit Israel’s oppression of the Palestinians, the ongoing dispossession, human rights denials and daily cruelties imposed by the occupation, to speak nothing of periodic war crimes. The IHRA statement on antisemitism is a barely disguised attempt at suppressing and isolating critics of Israeli policy. It’s illegal in this country to deny the Holocaust, yet some people want to enshrine enforced denial of Palestinian suffering into law.

As an infant survivor or the Nazi genocide and a former Zionist activist, I see this as a shameless endeavour to equate anti-semitism with speaking the truth about Palestine. You are entitled to endorse whatever political cause you believe in. You are not entitled to silence others, especially not on such a mutually painful and contentious issue as Israel/Palestine. All sides deserve to be and need to be fully heard.”

— Gabor Maté, physician & best-selling author

“The IHRA redefinition represents a politicization of antisemitism by upholding Israel self-determination to the exclusion of Palestinian rights. As a Holocaust survivor and member of the NDP and of Independent Jewish Voices, I support the resolution of Libby Davies, Svend Robinson, and 50 NDP riding associations.” 

— Suzanne Berliner Weiss, Holocaust survivor & author

“This resolution condemns antisemitism, Islamophobia, white supremacy and all forms of intolerance and hatred, but makes it clear the the NDP should not accept the IHRA definition of antisemitism.

The upcoming federal NDP Convention is an opportunity to affirm our values of justice, human rights and dignity. We can do this by supporting the resolution to oppose the IHRA definition, and fighting antisemitism while standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The convention is an opportunity for the NDP and its members to demonstrate that freedom of speech is core to our history and future.”

— Libby Davies, former Member of Parliament, 1997-2015

“I express my full support to Svend Robinson, Libby Davis and Sid Ryan for opposing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism, which is being weaponized to silence Palestinians and their supporters who speak out against Israel’s violations of the rights of the indigenous Palestinian people and its contravention of international law.

The misleading IHRA working definition of antisemitism conflates criticism of Israel’s apartheid regime and its systemic discrimination against the indigenous Palestinian people with anti-Jewish bigotry. The IHRA definition is poorly worded and most of the examples attached to this definition conflate antisemitism with criticism of the State of Israel.

Such conflation is a serious mistake since it implies that all Jews are responsible for the crimes against humanity being committed by the apartheid Israeli regime.”

-Khaled Mouammar, founding member of the Canadian Arab Federation (click here to read this statement in full)

“New Democrats have a historic opportunity at our upcoming Convention for the first time to take a strong, principled stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, while reaffirming our deep commitment to fighting antisemitism. We can join our voices, including NDP MPs like House Leader Peter Julian and Deputy Leader Alexandre Boulerice, from ridings across the country, with labour leaders, academics, and respected leaders from the Jewish and Palestinian-Canadian communities for human rights, freedom of speech and international law. The right has already weaponized the IHRA to try to silence NDP MPs speaking out for Palestinian access to COVID-19 vaccines, and to shut down support for the ICC investigation. It will be used to try to silence those of us who call for banning settlement products and ending military cooperation with Israel.

I hope that this resolution will receive very strong support from delegates to the upcoming NDP Convention, in voting on priorities and at the Convention debate as well. Your voice can make the difference.”

-Svend Robinson, former Member of Parliament for Burnaby

“As Canadian-Palestinians who cherish and espouse our rights and freedom of expression as per the Canadian charter of human rights , we find ourselves silenced by the IHRA definition. It is so important that the upcoming NDP Convention support this resolution.

Imagine not being able to denounce legitimate human rights abuses in regards to women’s issues , children’s rights issues! These are all victims of this new tool of oppression. This is what we are living through on a daily basis, we cannot speak-up!

Our solidarity work is based on the respect of the basic tenets of human rights and international law. Today, this precious work is being hindered. Our network of supporters, students, activists, and community groups live in fear of speaking up in defence of Palestinian human rights. This is unacceptable. We as a society have made a lot of strides to protect our democracy, this is not the time to move backwards.

The Canadian-Palestinian people are looking to delegates to the upcoming NDP Convention to voice your solidarity with us and pass this important resolution.”

-Zahia El-Masri, VP Canadian Palestinian Foundation of Quebec

“I have worked for decades with the Palestinian Canadian community for justice and solidarity with the Palestinian people, for respect for UN resolutions, international law and human rights. The IHRA definition and examples have been weaponized to try to silence these voices, and I am very pleased to strongly support the resolution going to the NDP Convention that, while opposing antisemitism, Islamophobia and all forms of hate, calls on the NDP to take a clear stand opposing the IHRA. Together with calls for boycotting settlement products and ending military collaboration with Israel, this will be the first time the federal NDP Convention takes a powerful principled stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

-Ismail Zayid, President, Canada Palestine Association

NDP Riding Associations that have endorsed the No IHRA resolution

Burnaby North--Seymour

Coquitlam--Port Coquitlam

New Westminster--Burnaby

Pitt Meadows--Maple Ridge

Saanich--Gulf Islands

Surrey Centre

Vancouver East

Vancouver Granville

Churchill--Keewatinook Aski

Saint Boniface--Saint Vital

Winnipeg Centre

Halifax

Beaches--East York

Durham

Eglinton--Lawrence

Etobicoke--Lakeshore

Glengarry--Prescott--Russell

Hamilton Centre

Hamilton Mountain

Huron--Bruce

Kitchener Centre

London North Centre

London West

Milton

Oshawa

Ottawa South

Ottawa West--Nepean

Ottawa--Vanier

Oxford

Parkdale--High Park

Parry Sound--Muskoka

Pickering--Uxbridge

Scarborough Southwest

Spadina--Fort York

Thornhill

Toronto Centre

University--Rosedale

Willowdale

York Centre

York--Simcoe

Ahuntsic-Cartierville

Alfred-Pellan

Hochelaga

Laurier--Sainte-Marie

Outremont

Papineau

Rosemont--La Petite-Patrie

Regina--Qu'Appelle