Quebec Government adopts International Definition of Antisemitism following recent spate of antisemitic incidents
The Quebec Government has adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism following the spate of antisemitic incidents last month.
Anti-Racism Minister, Benoît Charette, said: “It is our duty to take all possible means to combat antisemitism. This is why the Government of Quebec is joining the renewed international effort by adopting, as many countries, parliaments and international organizations have done.”
The decision, which was announced earlier this week, was greeted by Jewish organisations, including Federation CJA and Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) Quebec.
Eta Yudin, Vice President of CJA Quebec, said: “Today, the Minister responsible for the Fight Against Racism, Benoit Charette, and the Government of Quebec have taken a concrete step forward in the fight against antisemitism. The adoption of the [D]efinition is a clear affirmation of our elected officials’ recognition of the seriousness of the upsurge in hate targeting Jews and of the need for concrete action to counter this rise. We applaud Minister Charette and the Government for their leadership in the fight against Jew-hatred, an issue that concerns all Quebecers.”
The decision comes after Canada was rocked by a significant increase in antisemitic incidents during the conflict between Hamas and Israel.
On the weekend of 15th May in Montreal, police had to intervene using tear gas after a rally in support of Israel was interrupted by counter-protesters. Rocks were thrown at pro-Israel demonstrators and several antisemitic slurs were said to have been used. Antisemitic signs featuring Nazi imagery were also spotted among the counter-protesters.
In Côte St. Luc, a suburb of Montreal with a sizeable Jewish population, two men aged nineteen and twenty were arrested for allegedly threatening the Jewish community.
Jewish residents of Montreal have also been subjected to antisemitic harassment online and death threats and the synagogues in the area were given added security, while police have increased their presence in areas with Jewish communities as a “preventative” measure.
The City of Montreal has so far refused to adopt the Definition.
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