As we mark the one-year anniversary of the brutal terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, we have all been deeply concerned with the disturbing persistence of antisemitism around the world, including here in Canada. As three former politicians from different parties and regions of the country, we have come together to call on Canadians to take a hard look at our own actions — and inactions — which have enabled the rise of antisemitism across the political spectrum.
Antisemitism is so insidious because it often wears different disguises. It is no longer just the overt hate speech or violent actions we came to recognize in the aftermath of the Second World War. Today, it creeps into everyday discourse, often disguised as criticism of Israel or wrapped in the veil of political or social movements. But make no mistake — antisemitism, whether overt or subtle, is a direct threat to the Jewish community and to the values of democracy, equality and human rights that Canadians cherish.
The October 7 attack was not an isolated incident. It was the culmination of years of antisemitic sentiment bubbling beneath the surface, fed by conspiracy theories, disinformation and a toxic political environment that has allowed the hatred of Jews to creep into mainstream spaces. We’ve seen how conspiracy theories surrounding global institutions like the World Economic Forum have become intertwined with antisemitic tropes, and how a disproportionate focus on Israel in the international arena has become a form of antisemitism by stealth. Here in Canada, antisemitism has been on the rise, with 2023 having the highest number of antisemitic incidents ever recorded.
The chilling reality is that, while other forms of hate are rightly condemned, antisemitism often seems to be tolerated or dismissed. It is one of the few forms of prejudice that crosses the political spectrum — from the far right, which traffics in age-old antisemitic myths, to the far left, where movements like the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign target Israel with a level of intensity and hostility not directed toward any other nation. The singling out of Israel with unique contempt is not just a political stance — it is antisemitism.
As Canadians, we have a duty to speak out about antisemitism in our workplaces and our our social circles, and to talk about it with our family and children. The fight against antisemitism cannot be left to the Jewish community alone, or to any one group, political party or region of the country. It does not require that Canadians ignore the plight of innocent civilians, especially children in Gaza, Lebanon and across the Middle East, who are most impacted by the war that October 7 started. Canadians are capable of being compassionate and desiring peace, while fighting the disturbing rise of antisemitism at the same time.
It is incumbent upon all of us — every Canadian — to challenge the hatred that is on the rise in our communities. This means speaking up when we hear or read antisemitic comments, challenging disinformation that fuels conspiracy theories or hateful tropes about our friends and neighbours, and never allowing ourselves to be silent bystanders to intolerance.
The one year anniversary of the horrific October 7 attack should serve as a stark reminder of what happens when hatred is allowed to grow unchecked. Canada is a nation built on the principles of tolerance, diversity and human rights: all of us must rise to this challenge. We cannot allow the atrocities of the past — or the ones that continue to unfold in our present — to fade from memory. We must recommit ourselves to the promise that the civilized world made after the Holocaust: “never again.” That vow cannot just be a hollow phrase recited once or twice a year. “Never again” must be a guiding principle for our society, and all of us individually, to root out the seeds of hatred wherever they may be found.
In the face of such overwhelming darkness, our response must be one of light. As we mark the anniversary of this unspeakable act of terrorism, let us redouble our efforts to combat antisemitism in all its forms. Let us ensure that the next generation of Canadians inherits a country where hatred and intolerance cannot take hold, and where the values of inclusivity, justice and human dignity prevail. This fight is not just for the Jewish community — it is a fight for the soul of our country.
National Post
Scott Brison is a former Liberal cabinet minister. Erin O’Toole is former leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Murray Rankin is British Columbia’s minister of Indigenous relations and reconciliation and former NDP MP.