B’nai Brith Canada Presents Report on Antisemitism in Canada to UN Representative

Toronto, September 25, 2003

For Immediate Release

Toronto — Ruth Klein, Director of the League for Human Rights of B’nai Brith Canada, today briefed UN Representative Doudou Diene on antisemitism in Canada and the ongoing condition of Canadian Jews. The League also issued a written report on the subject.

B’nai Brith, through its League for Human Rights is widely recognized as the leading expert on hate and antisemitism in Canada. Mr. Diene is the UN Commission on Human Rights’ Special Rapporteur on Racism, Racial Discrimination, and Xenophobia.

The report provided Mr. Diene with an overview of the situation facing Canada’s approximately 370,000 Jews, particularly in light of ongoing violence in the Middle East and in the aftermath of the destruction of the World Trade Canter in New York.

Citing the League’s 2002 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents in Canada, the report explained how the portrayal of Israel in the media has a direct effect on the safety of Jews at large. “The overwhelming condemnation of Israel appeared to be taken as validation of attacks against Jews and Jewish organizations in this country…” it states.

In 2001, the report continues “35% percent of all antisemitic incidents were reported in the fall-out of September 11.”

The report also pointed out that, according to statistics released by the Toronto Police. The proportion of the total number of hate crimes that were perpetrated against Jews grew from 17% in 2001 to 23% in 2002. Crimes against Muslims fell from a total of 57 to just 10 in 2002, bursting the myth that Muslims have bourn the brunt of hate in the aftermath of 9/11.

The report included a detailed summary of the alarming growth of antisemitism on Canada’s university campuses, with particular attention to ongoing tensions at Montreal’s Concordia University. There is a “growing acceptance of antisemitism within the campus environment as a legitimate response to the frustrations over the situation in the Middle-East,” the report states.

Also included was a detailed summary of recommendations on what Canada can do to enhance the safety of minority groups, as well as an examination of the nature of hate and discrimination. Mr. Diene was particulary interested in B’nai Brith Canada’s acclaimed Taking Action Against Hate program.

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For more information call Joseph Ben Ami, Director of Communications at (613) 294-7313

B’nai Brith has been active in Canada since 1875 as the Jewish community’s foremost human rights agency.