At the National press conference held earlier today to announce the release of the Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, CEO, Frank Dimant (noted spokesperson for grassroots Jewry) commented that many of the tactics we are seeing today are reminiscent of the antisemitism experienced in the 1930's. He called the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS) a recycled Nazi-era strategy - then used against Jews, now being used to target the Jewish State.
For the video of Frank Dimant's opening remarks visit www.bnaibrith.ca
APRIL 11, 2014, TORONTO -- On the eve of the Jewish festival of Passover during which Jews around the world will join together to recall their ongoing struggle for freedom and national Jewish liberation, the League for Human Rights of B'nai Brith Canada, is announcing the results of its Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents.
Canada-wide incidents of vandalism and violence increased by 21.6% and 7.7% respectively over the previous year. Only incidents categorized as harassment showed a decrease, dropping by 13.9%. Overall, there were 1274 cases recorded, a 5.3% decrease from the previous year's Audit. Reporting of harassment may well be down as Jews have expressed apprehension regarding possible social repercussions and retaliation in the workforce such as losing one's job.
"The sustained level of antisemitism in Canada when taking a ten year view which shows a 49 % jump should be of great concern to all Canadians" stated Frank Dimant, CEO of B'nai Brith Canada. "Jews of all ages are being targeted at home, work, school, and even at play. Notwithstanding Canada's national and international efforts to counter antisemitism, a strong pattern of this prejudice continues to prevail across this country.
"The numbers are only part of the story. What we are hearing from callers is a growing sense of dread among Canadians," said Frank Dimant, CEO, B'nai Brith Canada. "Although the numbers for this year are down slightly, hatred of Jews has veered so far into normative discourse that it is no longer seen as wrong.
"Antisemitism was seen by many in the Jewish community as a thing of the past. However, the de facto replacement of 'The Jew' with Israel, combined with the constant barrage of Holocaust imagery in relation to the Jewish state and Jews and its supporters create a visceral sense of apprehension. The fact that Europe with its Western society and similar socio-economic status to Canada is seeing dramatic increases in Jew-hatred and intolerance cannot help but awaken a tremendous feeling of communal unease.
"On campus, the problem is further exacerbated by unending streams of anti-Israel resolutions by student governments creating a situation where the once week-long Israeli Apartheid Week now spans the entire school year. At the same time, Jewish and pro-Israel students are derided as racists, Nazis and baby killers. This kind of harassment has marginalized and silenced their voice . That this type of imagery is so prevalent as we get set to mark the 66th anniversary of the birth of the Jewish state and 69 years since the liberation of the death camps is disconcerting to say the least.
"While Government officials have strongly condemned antisemitism including the rise of the new-antisemitism, Police and Attorney Generals have shown a reluctance to resolve complaints such that it is easy to see why Canadian Jews have resigned themselves not to report all incidents.
"We will embark on an educational campaign to encourage members of the Jewish community to stand against apathy with a renewed fortitude to directly confront bigotry in their midst while working with B'nai Brith Canada and its League for Human Rights."
For the video of Frank Dimant's opening remarks visit www.bnaibrith.ca
APRIL 11, 2014, TORONTO -- On the eve of the Jewish festival of Passover during which Jews around the world will join together to recall their ongoing struggle for freedom and national Jewish liberation, the League for Human Rights of B'nai Brith Canada, is announcing the results of its Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents.
Canada-wide incidents of vandalism and violence increased by 21.6% and 7.7% respectively over the previous year. Only incidents categorized as harassment showed a decrease, dropping by 13.9%. Overall, there were 1274 cases recorded, a 5.3% decrease from the previous year's Audit. Reporting of harassment may well be down as Jews have expressed apprehension regarding possible social repercussions and retaliation in the workforce such as losing one's job.
"The sustained level of antisemitism in Canada when taking a ten year view which shows a 49 % jump should be of great concern to all Canadians" stated Frank Dimant, CEO of B'nai Brith Canada. "Jews of all ages are being targeted at home, work, school, and even at play. Notwithstanding Canada's national and international efforts to counter antisemitism, a strong pattern of this prejudice continues to prevail across this country.
"The numbers are only part of the story. What we are hearing from callers is a growing sense of dread among Canadians," said Frank Dimant, CEO, B'nai Brith Canada. "Although the numbers for this year are down slightly, hatred of Jews has veered so far into normative discourse that it is no longer seen as wrong.
"Antisemitism was seen by many in the Jewish community as a thing of the past. However, the de facto replacement of 'The Jew' with Israel, combined with the constant barrage of Holocaust imagery in relation to the Jewish state and Jews and its supporters create a visceral sense of apprehension. The fact that Europe with its Western society and similar socio-economic status to Canada is seeing dramatic increases in Jew-hatred and intolerance cannot help but awaken a tremendous feeling of communal unease.
"On campus, the problem is further exacerbated by unending streams of anti-Israel resolutions by student governments creating a situation where the once week-long Israeli Apartheid Week now spans the entire school year. At the same time, Jewish and pro-Israel students are derided as racists, Nazis and baby killers. This kind of harassment has marginalized and silenced their voice . That this type of imagery is so prevalent as we get set to mark the 66th anniversary of the birth of the Jewish state and 69 years since the liberation of the death camps is disconcerting to say the least.
"While Government officials have strongly condemned antisemitism including the rise of the new-antisemitism, Police and Attorney Generals have shown a reluctance to resolve complaints such that it is easy to see why Canadian Jews have resigned themselves not to report all incidents.
"We will embark on an educational campaign to encourage members of the Jewish community to stand against apathy with a renewed fortitude to directly confront bigotry in their midst while working with B'nai Brith Canada and its League for Human Rights."
