The Jewish Federation of Ottawa and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) said politicians who engage in repeated antisemitic behaviour should be sanctioned. .“Actions have consequences,” said Jewish Federation of Ontario President and CEO Andrea Freedman and CIJA Vice President, Government Relations David Cooper in a Sunday statement. .“They certainly should not be allowed to remain in any caucus of a party represented in any legislature.”.These comments were made after it was discovered Ontario NDP MPP Joel Harden made what Freedman and Cooper claimed are antisemitic remarks in an interview with the Ottawa Forum on Israel Palestine in 2021. .“I would say if you’re a left politician, if you’re a politician that doesn’t believe in the status quo, that wants to change things, it’s your obligation to have those courageous conversations that start with listening to where someone’s at and then asking questions,” said Harden. .“I have asked many questions of Jewish neighbours here about how long we should put up with this.” .If Harden could name the single greatest origin of violence in the Middle East, he said it would be Israel. He said Israel has no shame in defying international law. .Harden issued an apology for his remarks on Sunday. .“I spoke in a way that perpetrated an antisemitic stereotype towards Jewish neighbours,” he said. .“I regret my choice of words and sincerely apologize to the Jewish community.”.Harden said it will not happen again and has vowed to work with Jewish leaders to help him understand antisemitism. .Freedman and Cooper said in a time when antisemitism is on the rise, it is “deeply disappointing and hurtful that an elected official would share such rhetoric so casually.”.“Just as harmful words have consequences, so too should there be consequences for those who repeatedly advance or promote hateful tropes and charges,” they said. .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 published in April. .READ MORE: Audit finds record-setting year for antisemitic incidents in Canada.“Despite the dismal numbers posted in 2021, there is always hope for improvement,” said B’nai Brith Canada CEO Michael Mostyn. .Eight antisemitic incidents occurred every day in Canada in 2021. There was a 733% increase in violent antisemitic incidents compared to 2020.
