ByMICHAL COTLER-WUNSH

JUNE 21, 2026 04:03

Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered remarks yesterday on the persistent problem of antisemitism in Canada that touched on several relevant ideas.

His decision to speak from one of the country's major synagogues carried weight as he noted that Canada's social agreement is letting down Jewish citizens and that when such an agreement breaks for any group it undermines everyone.

Carney also pointed to the value of the IHRA definition in spotting antisemitism and stressed that precise terms are vital for tackling the issue effectively.

Yet the remarks largely bypassed the central challenges now facing Canada including the causes of the recent surge in antisemitism its evolving nature the actors behind it and the concrete measures needed to counter it.

Although the prime minister hit some appropriate tones he stopped short of the decisive leadership needed to face the main sources of antisemitism in Canada at present.

Over the last five years and especially the past two and a half Jewish Canadians have endured ongoing antisemitism marked by repeated hateful gatherings threats and attacks aimed at the community.

The real question is not whether antisemitism is present but whether it is being properly recognized and handled and whether its origins are being clearly identified.

The speech failed to engage deeply with how antisemitism now appears in forms that vilify delegitimize and impose unequal standards on Israel as the representative of Jews among nations.

It also avoided discussing the organized distortion twisting and misuse of facts and legal concepts including human rights terms to make contemporary antisemitic ideas seem normal under the label of anti-Zionism.

Nor did it recognize the part played by Islamic extremism in Canada's antisemitism scene or note that certain bodies claiming to support inclusion have routinely ignored Jewish issues.

Instead Carney focused on current policies and commended police without outlining plans to improve enforcement or to put tools like the government's IHRA handbook into practice across organizations.

Most importantly he did not examine how government decisions themselves contribute to the conditions allowing antisemitism to grow such as funding groups like the Muslim Association of Canada that have held events featuring antisemitic content and links to terrorist organizations listed in Canada.

While cautioning against bringing overseas disputes home he did not address how Ottawa's stance toward Israel influences the daily reality for many Jewish Canadians.

Canada's challenge

Choices on matters from arms export rules to recognizing a Palestinian state after the Hamas attack of October 7 do not happen in isolation.

When official moves appear to hold Israel to rules not applied to others they affect how many Jewish Canadians view their role in society.

Such moves can also encourage those focused on the Jewish state by suggesting their complaints have mainstream backing which strengthens an atmosphere where dislike of Israel turns into dislike of Jews.

The creation of a new advisory council brings further worries. Even before starting work questions have arisen about the histories and prior statements of some members chosen.

A group meant to fight antisemitism cannot succeed if its own standing is doubted from the start.

In addition despite addressing a synagogue on the long Jewish story the prime minister did not clearly affirm the Jewish people's lasting link to the Land of Israel as an element of present-day Jewish identity.

As Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks cautioned antisemitism does not stay fixed but changes taking fresh shapes in every era while keeping its core pattern.

Now its expression as open hostility to Jews has grown acceptable even virtuous when tied to rejecting Jewish peoplehood including its national revival and current form in Israel.

Canada's task is no longer simply defining the shifting versions of antisemitism. The IHRA already achieved that after a thorough democratic effort. The real task is mustering the resolve clarity and bravery to face it.

Until leaders including Carney are ready to name the drivers of anti-Jewish bias including the anti-Zionist current that has gained social and political acceptance in many places hold offenders responsible and treat antisemitism with the same seriousness as other prejudices their statements will lack substance.

Worse they may strengthen the sense that actions deserving clear rejection will keep being allowed.

The writer former Israeli legislator and special envoy for combating antisemitism is chief executive of the International Legal Forum.