A new record was set for antisemitic incidents in Canada for the sixth consecutive year in 2021, an uptick of 7.2% from the previous year, according to the 40th Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents by B’nai Brith Canada. .“Despite the dismal numbers posted in 2021, there is always hope for improvement,” said B’nai Brith Canada CEO Michael Mostyn in a Monday press release. “Better reporting of hate crimes and incidents, better training and resources for police departments to recognize and combat antisemitism, may all make a difference, if achieved.”.The press release said about eight antisemitic incidents occurred every day in Canada. There was a 733% increase in violent antisemitic incidents compared to 2020, according to the press release. .The press release said that the number of antisemitic incidents recorded in 2021 was 2,799. It said this number was the fourth year in a row that there were more than 2,000 incidents..B’nai Brith Canada said that online hate has become the preferred method of harassing Jews. The Jewish human rights organization added that it has logged 2,093 incidents of antisemitic online hate, an increase of 12.3% from 2020. .Ontario saw a large decline in antisemitic incidents. Quebec and Western Canada reported major increases, it said. .When there were multiple large anti-Israel rallies in Canada during the Hamas-Israel conflict in May, the press release said it led to a record number of attacks on Jews. It said there were more than 250 recorded incidents in May, and there were moments when people holding Israeli flags were beaten and hospitalized with serious injuries. .Other examples of antisemitic incidents in Canada in 2021 mentioned by B’nai Brith Canada in the audit include a man arrested outside a Montreal synagogue after allegedly spraypainting Nazi symbols on its doors and storefront windows in London, Ont., being vandalized with antisemitic graffiti and swastikas. .“Giving higher profile to cases where perpetrators are charged and sentenced, the propagation of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition as well as more funding and resources to combat hatred will also help us turn the tide against antisemitism and help build an inclusive country for all,” said B’nai Brith Canada’s League for Human Rights national director Marvin Rotrand. .Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman said this audit is disturbing and that it should make people stop and think about rising antisemitism. .“It’s rising out of faculty clubs, out of university classrooms, out of social justice organizations, and far too many government offices,” said Lantsman. “And the public displays of hate last May across this country yielded little to no action.” .Lantsman said that antisemitism masquerading as anti-Zionism is what is happening in Canada. Suggesting that antisemitism and anti-Zionism can be separated is part of the problem, according to her. .Jonathan Bradley is a contributor at the Western Standard based out of Toronto.
A new record was set for antisemitic incidents in Canada for the sixth consecutive year in 2021, an uptick of 7.2% from the previous year, according to the 40th Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents by B’nai Brith Canada. .“Despite the dismal numbers posted in 2021, there is always hope for improvement,” said B’nai Brith Canada CEO Michael Mostyn in a Monday press release. “Better reporting of hate crimes and incidents, better training and resources for police departments to recognize and combat antisemitism, may all make a difference, if achieved.”.The press release said about eight antisemitic incidents occurred every day in Canada. There was a 733% increase in violent antisemitic incidents compared to 2020, according to the press release. .The press release said that the number of antisemitic incidents recorded in 2021 was 2,799. It said this number was the fourth year in a row that there were more than 2,000 incidents..B’nai Brith Canada said that online hate has become the preferred method of harassing Jews. The Jewish human rights organization added that it has logged 2,093 incidents of antisemitic online hate, an increase of 12.3% from 2020. .Ontario saw a large decline in antisemitic incidents. Quebec and Western Canada reported major increases, it said. .When there were multiple large anti-Israel rallies in Canada during the Hamas-Israel conflict in May, the press release said it led to a record number of attacks on Jews. It said there were more than 250 recorded incidents in May, and there were moments when people holding Israeli flags were beaten and hospitalized with serious injuries. .Other examples of antisemitic incidents in Canada in 2021 mentioned by B’nai Brith Canada in the audit include a man arrested outside a Montreal synagogue after allegedly spraypainting Nazi symbols on its doors and storefront windows in London, Ont., being vandalized with antisemitic graffiti and swastikas. .“Giving higher profile to cases where perpetrators are charged and sentenced, the propagation of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition as well as more funding and resources to combat hatred will also help us turn the tide against antisemitism and help build an inclusive country for all,” said B’nai Brith Canada’s League for Human Rights national director Marvin Rotrand. .Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman said this audit is disturbing and that it should make people stop and think about rising antisemitism. .“It’s rising out of faculty clubs, out of university classrooms, out of social justice organizations, and far too many government offices,” said Lantsman. “And the public displays of hate last May across this country yielded little to no action.” .Lantsman said that antisemitism masquerading as anti-Zionism is what is happening in Canada. Suggesting that antisemitism and anti-Zionism can be separated is part of the problem, according to her. .Jonathan Bradley is a contributor at the Western Standard based out of Toronto.
