Letter: Anti-Semitism must be strongly condemned

By Letter to the Editor on June 4, 2021.

Dear editor,

Horrific stories of anti-Semitism-from online to physical confrontation are being reported from coast to coast. Jews are being targeted at home, at schools, universities, walking on the street and through social media, Canada’s broadcaster CBC, late night TV talk shows.

It is one thing to complain about Israeli policies, whether based on fact or bias, but it is outright anti-Semitism to attack or harass Jews for being Jews, or to apply an artificial standard of behavior to Israel for defending its citizens.

When actions cross over to hate speech, threats, harassment and intimidation and violence, these actions must be strongly condemned! Canadian leaders from all levels of government and all political parties, as well as religious leaders, business, labor and media heads, must strongly condemn anti-Semitism.

Anti-Asian, anti-Black, anti-Indigenous, anti-Jewish attacks are equivalent and all need to be addressed with equal vigor. These are hate crimes!