The NDP is facing serious criticism for disavowing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. The occasion was the release, by the Department of Canadian Heritage, of a 40-page “Canadian Handbook” laying out how the definition should be applied (could be applied? Must be? It’s unclear) in this country.
The major issue is an evergreen one: whether and in what circumstances criticism of Israel or of Zionism should be considered antisemitic. That relates most specifically to the following example of antisemitism included in the IHRA definition: “Applying double standards by requiring of (Israel) a behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.”
Canada has been down this road before with Section 13. Speech restrictions quickly become weaponized. We do not need to repeat that miserable experience.
