The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is speaking out after a panel with people alleged to have spread antisemitism is scheduled to happen on Parliament Hill on Wednesday. .The Palestinian General Delegation to Canada and the Law for Palestine will be collaborating with NDP deputy leader Alexandre Boulerice, Green leader Elizabeth May, and Bloc Quebecois MP Mario Beaulieu (La Pointe-de-L’Ile, QC) to host this event, according to a Tuesday press release. .This event will discuss the chilling effects of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. The Canadian government adopted the IHRA definition as part of its anti-racism strategy in 2019 and was embraced in US President Joe Biden’s National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism in May. .Speaker Francesca Albanese said in a tweet the loss of life in Israel is devastating, especially at a time when there should be peace for all. .“Israel has a right to defend itself, but can't claim it when it comes to the people it oppresses/whose lands it colonizes,” said Albanese. .Speaker Michael Lynk submitted a report to the United Nations Human Rights Council labelling antisemite Manal Tamimi a “human rights defender.” Following an official complaint, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights removed Tamimi from Lynk’s report. .At a press conference, speaker Wesam Ahmad denied Jews their right to self-determination, stating Israel is “a colonial project from the very beginning and in fact Israel has been able to benefit from the historical colonial practices to develop what I call ‘best business practice model of colonization.’” .Panellist Neve Gordon signed a letter published in the Guardian condemning journalistic coverage of former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn’s antisemitism and failure to address it. Corbyn was suspended by Labour due to his reaction to a critical report on antisemitism. .While speaker Karen Rodman has gone back on some of her views, she supports the Kairos Palestine Document. The document promotes anti-Israel movement Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions; denies Jewish historical connections to Israel; and rationalizes Palestinian extremism. .Panellist Triestino Matiniello is a leading figure in the Palestinian push for an investigation of Israelis at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The push is attempting to use international laws to target Israel and negates the ICC’s founding principles of complementarity and jurisdiction. .Transport Minister Omar Alghabra and May were among a group of MPs who met in November with Meshwar Media editor Nazih Khatatba, who is alleged to have spread antisemitism. .READ MORE: Alghabra, May met with publisher accused of antisemitism.“Two days ago, Canadian Members of Parliament, including federal cabinet minister @OmarAlghabra and Green Party Leader @ElizabethMay, met with and hosted a dangerous antisemite and Holocaust denier,” said Documenting Antisemitism. .The Canadian-Palestinian Parliamentary Friendship Group — chaired by Liberal MP Salma Zahid (Scarborough Centre, ON) — hosted Khatatba and Meshwar Media on Parliament Hill for a celebration. .NDP MP Heather McPherson (Edmonton-Strathcona, AB) hosted an event with Canadians United Against Hate founder Fareed Khan in December, who is alleged to have spread antisemitism. .READ MORE: NDP MP attended press conference with activist accused of antisemitism.“Just days after a gathering of multiple antisemites at Parliament Hill, this morning NDP critic for Foreign Affairs @HMcPhersonMP organized another ignominious gathering with Fareed Khan for International Human Rights Day,” said Documenting Antisemitism. .Khan called Zionism “exactly the same as Nazism when you get right down to it.”
