The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement Against Israel
The Boycott, Divestment and
Sanctions Movement Against
Israel
The New Antisemitism Sweeping through our Public Institutions:
A New Perspective for Canada and ONTARIO
Updated  11/23/2015
The Canadian Jewish human rights foundation, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) is a leading nonprofit human rights foundation directly representing over 30,000 members. FSWC is committed to countering racism and
antisemitism and to promoting the principles of tolerance, social justice and Canadian democratic values through advocacy and
educational programs including workshops, Freedom Day, Spirit of Hope Benefit, Tools for Tolerance and its widely acclaimed new
Tour for Humanity. FSWC is affiliated with the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an international Jewish human rights organization
headquartered in Los Angeles, which has won two Academy Awards, has built two Museums of Tolerance (with a third being built
in Jerusalem) and is an NGO at the United Nations, UNESCO, OAS, OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament.
Visit us at www.fswc.ca
-Avi Benlolo, President and CEO
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement Against Israel
The Boycott,
Divestment and
Sanctions
Movement
Against Israel
The New Antisemitism Sweeping
through our Public Institutions:
A New Perspective for Canada and
ONTARIO
Introduction
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
Movement (BDS Movement) is a global
campaign designed to pressure Israel into
complying with political demands. Financial,
academic and cultural exclusions are coercive
tools integral to the movement. Despite
identifying itself as a ‘human rights’ movement,
BDS does not aspire to promote peaceful coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis. BDS
seeks to delegitimize the State of Israel and to
promote the belief that the Jewish people are not
entitled to self-determination, as are all other
people around the world. Viewed through the
lens of racial prejudice, the BDS movement is
therefore antisemitic in nature.
As outlined in the Discriminatory Business
Practices Act (Appendix A), the province of
Ontario has legislation in place to prevent
discriminatory business activity. Refusal to
engage in business on the grounds of “race,
creed, colour, nationality, ancestry, place of
origin, sex or geographical location of persons
employed in or engaging in business” is strictly
 Page 2
prohibited in Ontario. Certain actions endorsed
by the BDS Movement contravene existing
legislation. This legislation predates the BDS
Movement, originating with the “Arab Boycott”
of Israel – not a dissimilar racist movement.
Existing ambiguity in Ontario legislature has
allowed the BDS movement to gain traction in
our publicly-funded institutions. The Movement
segregates and penalizes Israeli academics and
students, corporations, businesses and the State
of Israel itself.1 Widespread acceptance of BDS
will put enormous economic and political
pressure on the Jewish State.
Israel is both a strong and trusted ally of Canada
and Ontario, home to significant federal and
provincial business interests and initiatives. There
is a significant Jewish population in the province
of Ontario and the presence of BDS in our public
spaces foments fear and discrimination. BDS in
our public institutions deprives Ontarians of their
right to international viewpoints and incites
hateful divisions, exclusions and hostility based
on ethnicity, nationality and religion. The BDS
movement is a direct challenge to the right of
Ontarians to study and work in safe and inclusive
environments.
One of Adolph Hitler’s first actions was on April
2, 1933 to boycott Jewish businesses. Historic
racial prejudice against the Jews always began
with economic boycotts.
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for
Holocaust Studies (FSWC) recognizes the
dangers of this campaign and our organization
aims to end any form of hate, racism, prejudice
and antisemitism in Canadian society and around
the world, including the BDS campaign (See
Appendix B).
1
Dan Diker, “The world from here: Hamas and BDS,”
http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/The-world-fromhere-Hamas-and-BDS-344303.
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement Against Israel
New Definition of Antisemitism
The ‘new antisemitism’ includes discrimination of
Israel, the nation that embodies the Jewish
people. The ‘Ottawa Protocol,’ the U.S. State
Department and the EU are all in agreement that
prejudice against Israel is antisemitic.2

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
Policy Implications
The BDS movement that is gaining momentum in
our Ontario public institutions hides behind the
rhetoric of an activist campaign.3 The movement
claims to stand for human rights and advocacy
for the Palestinian people, yet a closer
examination of the group’s policies and actions
tells a different story.4 The BDS Movement does
not foster an inclusive or respectful dialogue on
Israeli-Palestinian relations but instead incites
hatred and antisemitism and sentences the
Palestinian people to a lifetime of poverty by
disallowing economic integration.5




Avi Benlolo, Canada Gets Tough on Anti-Semitism, The
Huffington Post, http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/avibenlolo/anti-semitism-canada_b_973587.html
3
Hillel of Greater Toronto, “Anti-Semitism on Campus in
Toronto,”
http://www.cjpme.org/DisplayDocument.aspx?DO=853&RecI
D=454&DocumentID=1841&SaveMode=0.
4
Daniel Mael, “On Many Campuses Hate is spelled SJP,”
http://www.thetower.org/article/on-many-campuses-hate-isspelled-sjp/.
5
“Divides Campuses, Closes Dialogue,”
http://stopbds.ca/divides-campus-closes-dialogue/.
DOUBLE STANDARD for Israel:
Applying double standards by requiring of it a
behavior not expected or demanded of any other
democratic nation
Multilateral organizations focusing on Israel only
for peace or human rights investigations
DELEGITIMIZE Israel:
Denying the Jewish people their right to selfdetermination, and denying Israel the right to
exist
European Union
The EU’s ‘Working Definition of Antisemitism’
gives similar examples of the ways in which
antisemitism manifests itself in regards to the
State of Israel.
USA
The US Department of State has clear guidelines
on what constitutes antisemitism relative to Israel
(Appendix C). This definition can be broken down
into the “Three D’s:”
2
DEMONIZE Israel:
Using the symbols and images associated with
classic antisemitism to characterize Israel or
Israelis
Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli
policy to that of the Nazis
Blaming Israel for all inter-religious or political
tensions



These examples include:
Denying the Jewish people their right to selfdetermination, e.g., by claiming that the
existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor
Applying double standards by requiring of it a
behavior not expected or demanded of any other
democratic nation
Using the symbols and images associated with
classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing
Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or
Israelis
Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli
policy to that of the Nazis
 Page 3
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement Against Israel

Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions
of the state of Israel
Thus, the reality of the nature of the BDS
campaign is that it targets and singles out the
Jewish community as a collective; it
demonizes Israel and Israelis; it applies unfair
double standards to Israel at the exclusion of
other nations in the Middle East; and it rejects
the legitimacy of Israel as the only Jewish
State in the world. The bedrock of the BDS
movement is discrimination, hate and
antisemitism; it is an inappropriate and
potentially illegal presence in our public
institutions.
 Page 4
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement Against Israel
Existing Canadian Legislation
The BDS movement promotes a number of
actions that are intended to restrict trade with
Israel. These actions include targeting businesses,
religious organizations, higher education
institutions and trade unions that are affiliated
with or engaged in trade with Israeli businesses
and Israelis themselves.
There is existing anti-discrimination legislation in
Ontario and Manitoba that potentially bans
certain actions endorsed by the BDS Movement.
The Discriminatory Business Practices Acts in
Ontario and Manitoba were enacted to “prevent
discrimination on the ground of race, creed,
colour, nationality, ancestry, place of origin, sex
or geographical location of persons employed in
or engaging in business.” For a corporation, the
definition extends to include discrimination on
the basis of the nationality of any of its officers,
directors or shareholders.
Refusal to engage in business with a person on
the basis of their nationality is prohibited under
this legislation. Refusal to engage in business
with a person on the basis of their business
relationship with a third person on account of an
attribute is also prohibited. Therefore, the BDS
tactic of targeting Israeli businesses and business
owners is prohibited under this legislation:
“For the purposes of this Act, the following shall
be deemed to be discriminatory business
practices:
1. A refusal to engage in business with a second
person, where the refusal,
i. is on account of an attribute,
A. of the second person, or
B. of a third person with whom the second
person conducts, has conducted or may conduct
business; and
ii. is a condition of the engaging in business of
the person making the refusal and another
person.”6
In January 2015, the Department of Foreign
Affairs, Trade and Development Canada and the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel
announced a Memorandum of Understanding
(Appendix D). This memorandum makes an
indirect reference to the BDS movement, stating
“Understanding that attempts to isolate,
delegitimize and undermine Israel violate core
international principles, are at odds with
Canadian and Israeli values of tolerance and
mutual respect, and prevent meaningful
dialogue, […]” The Memorandum also includes a
commitment to “a coordinated, public diplomacy
initiative both bilaterally and in international and
multinational flora to oppose boycotts of Israel,
its institutions, and its people.”
Ontario also has business arrangements with
Israel, including its commitment to opening an
office in Israel to help promote business and
trade between the two jurisdictions. Premier
Kathleen Wynn has expressed her determination
to establish a ‘robust trade presence’ in Israel and
is planning a trade mission to the Jewish State in
spring of 2015.
6
“Discriminatory Business Practices Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12,
Province of Ontario,
http://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90d12
 Page 5
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement Against Israel
BDS: Hating Israel, Not Helping
Palestinians
BDS supporters intentionally ignore atrocities
committed in a number of other nations
including violence and discrimination against
women; the LGBTQ community; ethnic and
religious minorities; journalists and the free press;
and political activists.
Israel is the largest employer of Palestinians and
is one of only two states in the Middle East that
allows Palestinians to work unconditionally. All
other nations in the Middle East impose strict
employment conditions on Palestinians, yet they
are never named in the BDS Movement.7 Many
Israeli and Palestinian scholars and activists have
publicly condemned the BDS Movement.
Common criticisms regarding BDS suggest that
the Movement is creating more hatred, enmity
and polarization in the region. 8
According to data collected by the World Bank,
Israel’s GDP is over six times higher than
neighbouring Lebanon and nearly ten times
higher than that of Jordan. These figures indicate
the good health of Israel’s economy in
comparison to other countries in the region
translating into more job opportunities for
Palestinians
There are few connections between the
objectives of the BDS movement and the actual
situation on the ground in Israel, Gaza and the
West Bank.9 Israel is the largest employer of
Palestinians – providing them with consistent,
reliable work to help support their families. BDS
has already resulted in job losses for Palestinians,
but this does not seem to deter the movement.10
Sodastream’s withdrawal from the West Bank is a
perfect example of the BDS Movement hurting
Israel to the detriment of Palestinians. As many
as 600 Palestinians lost jobs that paid them well
above market wages.11 BDS justifies boycotts that
will result in increased economic hardship for the
Palestinian people with the assumption that
Palestinians are willing to suffer any deprivation
in order to achieve the political agenda of the
Movement.
By its nature, the BDS Movement rejects any form
of meaningful dialogue or debate with Israelis or
pro-Israel students. Views on the Israel-Palestine
conflict are not binary, but because BDS
arbitrarily groups all Israel supporters together, it
rejects the basic legitimacy of their beliefs.12 The
BDS Movement frequently shuns any form of
contact and communication with Israelis,
regardless of their political views and beliefs.
Instead, BDS has employed tactics of intimidation
and violence against Jewish and pro-Israel
students, and has attempted to ban Israeli
academics from lecturing on university campuses
- challenging the basic Canadian values of
academic freedom and open debate.
The BDS movement does not condemn Hamas,
the government body of the Palestinians in the
Gaza Strip, which explicitly, in its charter, denies
10
7
Zadran, Muhar, “BDS is About Hating Israel, Not Helping
Palestinians,”
http://mosaicmagazine.com/picks/2015/06/bds-is-abouthating-israel-not-helping-palestinians/.
8
Ibid.
9
Bassem, Eid, “The Palestinian Case Against BDS,” The
Washington Institute,
http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/thepalestinian-case-against-bds
 Page 6
“BDS Is About Hating Israel, Not Helping Palestine,” Mosaic,
http://mosaicmagazine.com/picks/2015/06/bds-is-abouthating-israel-not-helping-palestinians/
11
“BDS: Lost Palestinian Jobs at SodaStream are Worth it,”
Honest Reporting: Defending Israel from Media Bias,
http://honestreporting.com/bds-lost-palestinian-jobs-atsodastream-are-worth-it/
12
Gregory A Briker, “Dialogue Over Divestment,” The Harvard
Crimson,
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2014/4/10/harvardisraeli-palestinian-divestment/
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement Against Israel
the right of Israel to exist; opposes peace
negotiations; promotes the genocide of Jews in
Israel and abroad; and invokes antisemitic
accusations of a Jewish-Zionist global conspiracy
to control world politics and economics.13
Evidently, the main objective of BDS is neither to
solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, nor to help
the Palestinian people. The BDS campaign does
not focus on creating peace between Israelis and
Palestinians. It exists to delegitimize, and
ultimately eliminate, the State of Israel. BDS is a
hate-fuelled, legally-ambiguous, antisemitic
Movement that should not be allowed to flourish
in our public institutions.
13
“Hamas in Their Own Words,” Anti-Defamation League,
http://www.adl.org/anti-semitism/muslim-arabworld/c/hamas-in-their-ownwords.html?referrer=https://www.google.ca/#.VXmlXFVViko.
 Page 7
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement Against Israel
BDS in Ontario Public Institutions
has spawned a generation of young people with
a hatred for Israel.
Jewish and pro-Israel individuals across the
province, and the nation, are feeling increasingly
vulnerable due to BDS Movements in our public
institutions.






Consequences of BDS on Students
Jewish students have reported increased levels of
antisemitic activity after BDS movements have
been introduced onto higher education
campuses. Pro-Israel students of non-Jewish
backgrounds have endured similar victimization.
Students have expressed frustration that their
academic performance is being negatively
affected due to the mental stresses of the
hostility on their campuses.
Higher Education
The undergraduate student unions which
currently have BDS policies in place in Ontario
are:
York Federation of Students14
Concordia Student Union15
McMaster Students Union16
Ryerson Students Union17
Scarborough Campus Student Union (University
of Toronto)18
University of Windsor Students Alliance19
Many of these campuses have an entire week
dedicated to the activities of the BDS Movement,
aptly referred to as ‘BDS Week.’ Hosting pro-BDS
events like ‘BDS Week’ and ‘Israeli Apartheid
Week’ and inviting anti-Israel guest speakers
onto our campuses has encouraged a climate of
intolerance. BDS and its affiliated organizations
Antisemitic graffiti at Ryerson University (October, 2015)
14
Joseph Brean, “'The antithesis of academic freedom': York
University student union endorses boycott of Israeli
professors,”
http://news.nationalpost.com/toronto/york-universitystudent-union-endorses-boycott-of-israeli-academics.
15
“ Letters: The BDS vote at Concordia is not representative of
the views of the entire student body,”
http://montrealgazette.com/opinion/letters/letters-the-bdsvote-at-concordia-is-not-representative-of-the-views-of-theentire-student-body.
16
Samantha Craggs, “McMaster students support Israel
boycott in tense meeting,”
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/mcmasterstudents-support-israel-boycott-in-tense-meeting-1.2588162.
17
Kathleen McGouran, “Students react to RSU’s vote for BDS
Movement,” http://www.ryersonian.ca/students-react-torsus-vote-for-bds-Movement/.
18
Cara Stern, “U of T Scarborough student union endorses
BDS,” http://www.cjnews.com/?q=node/105525.
19
Ron Stang, “Windsor BDS referendum was a first in
Canada,” http://www.cjnews.com/campus/windsor-bdsreferendum-was-first-canada.
 Page 8

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
BDS has incited a number of antisemitic incidents
on university campuses across Ontario, including:
Antisemitic posters distributed at Trent University
in Peterborough with a defaced ‘Star of David’ (a
prominent Jewish symbol)20
An office vandalized at the University of Windsor
in which a ‘Support our Troops’ flag was
desecrated with a spray painted ‘Star of David’,
and the word ‘Zionist’ written across it21
At York University in Toronto, Jewish and proIsrael students have been faced with open
20
Jason Bain, “Divestment Week logos draw criticism,”
http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2015/01/15/dive
stment-week-logos-draw-criticism.
21
Ron Stang, “Flag vandalized during university BDS vote
campaign,” http://www.cjnews.com/node/122833.
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement Against Israel


discrimination and intimidation after BDS policies
had been adopted22
Violent, profanity-laden graffiti has been found in
washroom walls at Ryerson University
Palestinian Solidarity Group (PSG) at Windsor
University staged a walk-out during a Jewish
Student Association (JSA) event after engaging
the Bedouin speaker and spectators in a shouting
match. In provoking the speaker and students in
that manner, SPG effectively curtailed any chance
for dialogue or respectful debate. When
interviewed on the radio following the protest,
SPG president compared Zionists to Neo-Nazi's
and the KKK.
year for the actions of Israel because they were
Jewish.”23
Public Employee Unions
The Ontario wing of the Canadian Union of
Public Employees passed a resolution to boycott
Israeli academics to demonstrate their support
for the BDS Movement. The boycott of Israeli
academics is a gross violation of academic
freedoms for which we are internationally
recognized. 24 Collaborative research between
Canada and Israel benefits both nations and
should be nurtured, not hindered. The CUPE
resolution severely damaged the free exchange
of information that is intrinsic to our academic
community and the university system of
Ontario.25
These are just a few recent examples of the
antisemitic intimidation and harassment Jewish
and pro-Israel students face on our campuses.


Canadian employment unions which currently
have BDS policies in place are:
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)26
Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW)27
Religious Bodies
The United Church of Canada voted to affirm
their support of the BDS Movement. The church
Antisemitic graffiti at University of Windsor (February, 2014)
A 2015 Brandeis University report on
antisemitism indicated that hate crimes on
Canadian campuses are on the rise. One third of
respondents had been verbally harassed;
seventy-five per cent reported being exposed to
antisemitic materials or statements; and one in
four claimed they had been “blamed in the past
22
Jordan Adler, “BDS resolution passed at York University,”
http://cjnews.com/campus/bds-resolution-passed-yorkuniversity.
23
Lauren Kramer, “Brandeis study finds anti-Semitism high on
Canadian campuses,” CJN, http://www.cjnews.com/livingjewish/jewish-learning/brandeis-study-finds-anti-semitismhigh-canadian-campuses
24
Michael Ignatieff, “Michael Ignatieff: Israel Apartheid Week
and CUPE Ontario’s anti-Israel Posturing should be
Condemned,” Scholars for Peace in the Middle East,
http://spme.org/boycotts-divestments-sanctionsbds/boycotts-divestments-and-sanctions-bds-news/michaelignatieff-israel-apartheid-week-and-cupe-ontarios-anti-israelposturing-should-be-condemned/6513/
25
Ibid.
26
“Canadian Union of Postal workers Statement on Land
Day/BDS Day of Action,” BDS Movement: Freedom, Justice,
Equality, http://www.bdsMovement.net/2011/cupw-doa5980
27
Ibid.
 Page 9
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement Against Israel
accepted a comprehensive boycott of goods
produced in Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem
and on the West Bank.28 Members of the
Canadian Jewish community criticized the United
Church of Canada’s adoption of BDS tactics citing
that the motion would cause “an irreparable
breakdown of relations between two religious
groups.”29
28
“Largest Protestant Church in Canada Votes for Israeli
Settlements Boycott,” BDS Movement: Freedom, Justice,
Equality, http://www.bdsMovement.net/2012/united-churchcanada-settlement-boycott-9403#sthash.fKli3JUP.dpuf
29
Ibid.
 Page 10
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement Against Israel
International Reactions to the BDS
Movement
USA
In reaction to radical BDS Movements, the
University of California has formed a special panel
to probe antisemitism on its campuses (Appendix
E). Human Rights organizations are calling on the
University, home to some 230,000 students, to
adopt the U.S. State Department’s ‘Three D’s’
30
definition of antisemitism.
In the spring of 2015, Tennessee and Indiana’s
state legislatures both passed resolutions
condemning the BDS Movement. In June of 2015,
South Carolina became the first state to enact
legislation which bars any public entity against
doing business with organizations that support
the boycott of institutions, individuals and
businesses based on ethnic, religious, or national
prejudice.31 This includes the BDS campaign. In
addition to this action, the State of Illinois
recently signed legislation into law that bars its
public pension funds from investing in any entity
which has enacted a BDS policy against Israel.32
The State of Washington is expected to follow
suit, and has already allowed lawsuits on the
grounds of discrimination to be filed against
entities which enact BDS policies against Israel.33
30
Simon Wiesenthal Center,
http://www.wiesenthal.com/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=l
sKWLbPJLnF&b=8776547&ct=14737333&notoc=1
31
Michael Wilner, “South Carolina becomes first US state to
take action against anti-Israel boycotts,”
http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/South-Carolina-becomesfirst-US-state-to-take-action-against-anti-Israel-boycotts405120.
32
“Illinois state house passes anti-BDS legislation,”
http://www.timesofisrael.com/illinois-state-house-passesanti-bds-legislation/.
33
“Washington State court ruling opens door to suit over
Israel boycott,” http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-
U.S. President Barack Obama has also voiced his
concerns over BDS. 34
In April of 2015, the finance committees of both
the House and Senate in the U.S. approved
amendments to trade bill ‘H.R. 1890’ which
require American trade negotiators to
“discourage politically motivated actions” by
foreign countries and international organizations
that aim to “penalize or otherwise limit”
commercial relations with Israel or “persons
doing business in Israel or in territories controlled
by Israel.” 35
On November 3, 2015, New York Senator Michael
Gianaris promised to introduce legislation
banning state business relationships with
corporations or individuals engaged in the BDS
Movement.36 The proposed laws are expected to
be the “most comprehensive legislative measures
taken to confront the BDS Movement in New
York to date […].”37 The measure is being
world/jewish-world-news/1.658765.
34
Jeffrey Goldberg, “‘Look ... It’s My Name on This’: Obama
Defends the Iran Nuclear Deal,”
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/05/o
bama-interview-iran-isis-israel/393782/.
When asked about the implications of the ‘anti-Zionist’ BDS
campaign President Obama replied: “a good baseline is: Do
you think that Israel has a right to exist as a homeland for the
Jewish people, and are you aware of the particular
circumstances of Jewish history that might prompt that need
and desire? And if your answer is no, if your notion is
somehow that that history doesn’t matter, then that’s a
problem, in my mind.”
35
“US Congress moves to make BDS illegal en put pressure on
EU,” http://the-pessoptimist.blogspot.ca/2015/04/uscongress-moves-to-make-bds-illegal.html.
36
“After South Carolina, Illinois and Ohio, New York State
Senator Pushed for Anti-BDS Law,” The Algemeiner,
http://www.algemeiner.com/2015/11/03/after-southcarolina-illinois-and-ohio-new-york-state-senator-pushes-foranti-bds-law/
37
Ibid.
 Page 11
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement Against Israel
described as an antidote to growing antisemitism
and anti-Jewish attitudes in both the USA and
abroad.38
There are no instances of any states voting in
support of the BDS Movement. Alternatively,
there are currently 19 states that have either
passed, or are proposing, anti-BDS measures.
France
The Lellouche Law, introduced in 2003, is one of
the world’s most potent legislative tools to be
enacted in response to the growing BDS
Movement. Approximately 20 anti-Israel activists
have been convicted under France’s Lellouche
Law – named for the Jewish parliamentarian who
introduced it. The measure was designed to
respond to a social climate of increasing antiSemitism, anti-Arab discrimination and
xenophobia.39 It has been used repeatedly
against anti-Israel activists and demonstrates
France’s aggressive response to those
challenging the ideals of inclusion,
multiculturalism and tolerance. In October 2015,
the Parisian Court of Cassation upheld the
convictions of 12 individuals charged by the
Colmar Court in connection with ‘inciting hate or
discrimination’ under the Lellouche Law.
In November of this year, French authorities
upheld a decision to convict comedian,
Dieudonné, on hate crime charges in connection
with a comedy performance. The performance,
which included honouring a Holocaust denier
with a fictitious award, was deemed hateful and
antisemitic.
38
Will Bredderman, “Push for New York to Cut Ties with Israel
Boycotters Gains Momentum,” The Observer,
http://observer.com/2015/11/push-for-new-york-to-cut-tieswith-israel-boycotters-gains-momentum/
39
“BDS A Hate Crime? In France, Legal Vigilances Punishes
Anti-Israel Activists,” Haaretz,
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/1.574361
 Page 12
UK
In June of 2015, the United Kingdom National
Union of Students (NUS) voted in favour of a BDS
policy against Israel, while rejecting a motion to
condemn the actions of the Islamic State (ISIL)
less than one year earlier.40 Deputy British
ambassador to Israel, Dr. Rob Dixon, in response
to a BDS policy adopted by the United Kingdom
National Union of Students (NUS), reiterated
British Prime Minister David Cameron’s
declaration that “the UK Government will never
allow those who want to boycott Israel to shut
down 60 years worth of vibrant exchange and
partnership that does so much to make both our
countries stronger.”41
Germany
In Munich, BDS events have been banned from
municipal buildings. The Mayor of Munich, Dieter
Reiter, said that anti-Israel events are
unacceptable because they “evoke the worst
memories or our Jewish citizens,” alluding to the
Nazi boycott movement of Jewish business
leading up to the Holocaust.42
Italy
Fulvio Martusciello said in September 2015 that he
is set to launch a new initiative to create a legal tool
43
against the BDS Movement. The Italian Member of
the European Parliament hopes to model the new
piece of legislation after France’s Lellouche Law.
40
AFP and Itamar Eichner, “Netanyahu: UK students
boycotting Israel but not Islamic State,” YNews,
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L4664525,00.html.
41
Tamar Pileggi, “Britain’s student union votes to boycott
Israel,” http://www.timesofisrael.com/britains-student-unionvotes-to-boycott-israel/.
42
The Jerusalem Post, “Mayor of Munich bars use of city
rooms for anti-Israel BDS events,”
http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Mayor-of-Munich-bars-useof-city-rooms-for-anti-Israel-and-BDS-events-432683
43
Yossi Lempkowicz, “World Jewish News,” Euro-Asian Jewish
Congress, http://eajc.org/page32/news52748.html
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement Against Israel
FSWC Recommendations to
Ontario Legislature
That Ontario’s government:
(i)
(ii)
recognize that elements of the Boycott,
Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement
against the State of Israel are in direct conflict
with existing and proposed Canadian legislation:
see Discriminatory Business Practices Act
(Ontario), and The Discriminatory Business
Practices Act (Manitoba);
recognize that the BDS movement is a hateful,
hypocritical, bigoted and antisemitic attack on
the Jewish State of Israel, its supporters and its
citizens;
(a) affirm the government of Ontario’s commitment
to the enforcing of the Discriminatory Business
Practices Act, R.S.O, 1990 D.12
(b) move to condemn, in the strongest of terms, the
BDS movement against the State of Israel;
(c) note that the Government of Ontario will enact
legislation barring publicly funded higher
education institutions from boycotting Israeli
goods and services, in keeping with the policy of
the Canadian government;
(d) confirm that if a student union fails to pass a
resolution stating that it neither supports or
participates in the BDS movement, the college or
university shall immediately terminate its
relationship with the student union and shall not
knowingly support or permit its operation within
the university or provide it with funding;
(iii)
recognize the harmful effects that the BDS
Movement against the State of Israel has had on
the learning environment at higher education
institutions across the Province of Ontario;
(iv)
affirm Ontario’s desire to maintain a safe and
inclusive learning environment, free from
prejudice, on all university and college campuses
in the Province of Ontario;
(e) Enable the Financial Services Commission of
Ontario to maintain a list of restricted entities
which shall identify entities that, in the opinion of
the Commission, support or participate in the
BDS movement;
(v)
amend ambiguities in the Discriminatory Business
Practices Act, R.S.O, 1990 D.12, (“Act”) to clarify
that “engaging in business” also includes the
managing, coordinating or arranging of business
transactions and services between parties and act
accordingly.
(f) Ensure that every board of a public pension fund
confirms that the pension fund does not invest in
any entity that is on the list of restricted
companies;
(g) Enforce that if the board of a pension fund
determines that an entity in which the fund has
invested is on or has been placed on the list of
restricted entities mentioned, the board shall
terminate the investment.
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The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement Against Israel
Conclusion
The BDS Movement is a divisive and hostile
attack on the fundamental Canadian belief in
peaceful and collaborative co-existence among
different cultural communities. The Movement
segregates and penalizes Israeli academics and
students, corporations, businesses and the State
of Israel itself.44 The campaign opposes the
normalization of relations between Israelis and
Palestinians. By prohibiting the exchange of ideas
between opposing sides, BDS harms both
Palestinians and Israelis by destroying the
dialogue needed to achieve a proper, substantive
peace process.45 Despite marketing itself as a
‘human rights’ Movement, BDS does not aspire
to promote peaceful co-existence between
Palestinians and Israelis, rather it seeks to
delegitimize the State of Israel.
Jewish and pro-Israel individuals are the first
victims of this campaign of hate in Ontario. The
BDS movement violates existing antidiscrimination laws and promotes the isolation
and silencing of an entire cultural segment of our
society.
The BDS movement not only victimizes a large
demographic of Canadians, but it also harms the
Palestinians that it claims to be helping. The
punitive measures designed to coerce Israel into
complying with BDS’s political demands are
ultimately limiting economic growth and
opportunities for Palestinians.
44
Dan Diker, “The world from here: Hamas and BDS,”
Jerusalem Post,
http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/The-world-fromhere-Hamas-and-BDS-344303.
45
Christa Case Bryant, “BDS: Is growth of anti-Israel boycott all
good news for Palestinians?” CS Monitor,
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/MiddleEast/2015/0612/BDS-Is-growth-of-anti-Israel-boycott-allgood-news-for-Palestinians-video.
 Page 14
The time has come for the Legislative Assembly
of Ontario to take a leadership position in
Canada by choosing to stand in solidarity with
our organization and our community.
Amendments must be made to the
Discriminatory Business Practices Act to
categorically outlaw the BDS Movement.
As an organization grounded in the lessons of
the Holocaust and dedicated to the teaching of
tolerance, respect for diversity, social justice and
human rights, FSWC believes in the value of
maintaining a public space free from harassment,
intimidation and fear.
We ask you to support us and all Ontarians in
achieving this goal through a unanimous vote
against BDS.
_______________________________________
Avi Benlolo, President & CEO of Friends of Simon Wiesenthal
Center for Holocaust Studies, is a prominent Canadian human
rights activist dedicated to promoting tolerance, justice and
human rights. His academic focus included in-depth research on
the Holocaust, antisemitism and racism. Through his work on
genocide studies he documented survivor testimony from
multiple genocide events around the world. In 2012, the
Government of Canada appointed him to the Task Force for
International Cooperation on Holocaust Education. In the same
year the Lieutenant Governor General of Ontario awarded Mr.
Benlolo with the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal for service to
Canada and his community.
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement Against Israel
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement Against Israel
Appendix A
Discriminatory Business Practices Act
R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER D.12
Consolidation Period: From December 15, 2009 to the e-Laws currency date.
Last amendment: 2009, c. 33, Sched. 10, s. 5.
Definitions
1. In this Act,
“designated information” means information as to the race, creed, colour, nationality, ancestry,
place of origin, sex or geographical location of a person; (“renseignements désignés”)
“Director” means the person designated as the Director under the Ministry of Consumer and
Business Services Act; (“directeur”)
“investigator” means an investigator appointed under subsection 8 (1); (“enquêteur”)
“Minister” means the Minister of Consumer and Business Services; (“ministre”)
“person” includes a partnership, sole proprietorship, unincorporated association and governmental
agency; (“personne”)
“person connected”, when used in relation to another person, means an employee, agent, partner or
associate of the other person and, where the other person is a corporation, includes a director,
officer, shareholder or member of the corporation; (“personne qui a des liens”)
“regulations” means the regulations made under this Act; (“règlements”)
“Tribunal” means the Licence Appeal Tribunal. (“Tribunal”) R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 1; 1999, c. 12,
Sched. G, s. 22 (1); 2001, c. 9, Sched. D, s. 13; 2006, c. 34, s. 11 (1); 2009, c. 33, Sched. 10, s. 5.
Purpose and intent of Act
2. The purpose and intent of this Act is to prevent discrimination in Ontario on the ground of race,
creed, colour, nationality, ancestry, place of origin, sex or geographical location of persons employed in
or engaging in business. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 2.
Where Act does not apply
3. This Act does not apply to:
1. The withholding of services or employment in the course of a lawful strike, lock-out or
other labour dispute.
2. A discriminatory business practice engaged in in accordance with a policy of the
Government of Canada directed toward trade with a country other than Canada or persons
in a country other than Canada or of the Government of Ontario directed toward persons
in Provinces or Territories other than Ontario. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 3.
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement Against Israel
Discriminatory business practices
4. (1) For the purposes of this Act, the following shall be deemed to be discriminatory business
practices:
1. A refusal to engage in business with a second person, where the refusal,
i. is on account of an attribute,
A. of the second person, or
B. of a third person with whom the second person conducts, has conducted or may
conduct business; and
ii. is a condition of the engaging in business of the person making the refusal and another
person.
2. A refusal or failure to employ, appoint or promote a second person or a dismissal or
suspension of a second person from employment, where the refusal, failure, dismissal or
suspension,
i. is on account of an attribute,
A. of the second person, or
B. of a third person with whom the second person conducts, has conducted or may
conduct business; and
ii. is a condition of the engaging in business of the person making the refusal, failure,
suspension or dismissal and another person.
3. Entering into a contract that includes a provision that one of the parties to the contract,
i. will refuse to engage in business with a second person; or
ii. will refuse or fail to employ or promote or will dismiss or suspend from employment a
second person,
on account of an attribute of the second person or of a third person with whom the second
person conducts, has conducted or may conduct business. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 4 (1).
Definitions
(2) In subsection (1),
“attribute”, with reference to a person, means the race, creed, colour, nationality, ancestry, place of
origin, sex or geographical location of the person, and includes the race, creed, colour,
nationality, ancestry, place of origin, sex or geographical location of a person connected with the
person or nationals of a country with the government of which the person conducts, has
conducted or may conduct business; (“attribut”)
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“engaging in business” includes selling goods or services to or buying goods or services from, and
“engage in business” has a corresponding meaning; (“se livrer au commerce”)
“refusal” includes agreement to refuse. (“refus”) R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 4 (2).
Discriminatory business practices prohibited
5. (1) No person in Ontario shall engage in a discriminatory business practice. R.S.O. 1990,
c. D.12, s. 5 (1).
Seeking or providing designated information for discriminatory business practice
(2) No person shall seek or agree to seek from a second person and no person shall provide or
agree to provide to a second person any designated information in respect of any person for the purpose
of engaging in or assisting in engaging in a discriminatory business practice as defined in section 4.
R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 5 (2).
Idem
(3) Where designated information is sought or agreed to be sought from a second person or is
provided or agreed to be provided to a second person, the designated information shall be deemed to be
sought, agreed to be sought or to be provided or agreed to be provided, as the case may be, for the
purpose of engaging in or assisting in engaging in a discriminatory business practice unless the person
that so acted establishes that it is sought, agreed to be sought or is provided or agreed to be provided for
another purpose. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 5 (3).
Negative statements of origin prohibited
(4) No person in Ontario shall seek or provide a statement, whether written or oral, to the effect
that any goods or services supplied or rendered by any person or government do not originate in whole
or in part in a specific location, territory or country for the purpose of engaging in or assisting in
engaging in a discriminatory business practice as defined in section 4, but this subsection does not
prohibit a person in Ontario from seeking or providing a statement, whether written or oral, to the effect
that any goods or services supplied or rendered by any person or government originate in whole or in
part in a specific location, territory or country. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 5 (4).
Seeking or providing information for discriminatory business practice
(5) No person in Ontario shall seek or provide information, whether written or oral, for the
purpose of engaging in a discriminatory business practice, as to whether or not the person or any other
person is a member of or has made contributions to or is otherwise associated with or involved in the
activities of a charitable, fraternal or service organization. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 5 (5).
Idem
(6) Where information specified in subsection (5) is sought from a person or is provided by a
person to another person in response to a request, the information shall be deemed to be sought or
provided, as the case may be, for the purpose of engaging in a discriminatory business practice unless
the person that so acted establishes that it is sought or provided for another purpose. R.S.O. 1990,
c. D.12, s. 5 (6).
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One act deemed practice
(7) A person who performs one act referred to in section 4 shall be deemed to be engaging in a
discriminatory business practice. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 5 (7).
Report to Director
(8) Every person who receives a request, whether oral or in writing, to engage in a discriminatory
business practice or to do an act that would be a contravention of subsection (2), (4) or (5) shall report
the request and the response to the request within thirty days to the Director and shall provide the
Director with such other information in respect of the request as the Director may require. R.S.O. 1990,
c. D.12, s. 5 (8).
Order to cease discriminatory business practice or contravention of s. 5
6. (1) Where the Director has reason to believe that a person is engaging or has engaged in a
discriminatory business practice or is contravening or has contravened subsection 5 (2), (4), (5) or (8),
the Director may order the person to comply with section 5 in respect of the discriminatory business
practice or the contravention specified in the order. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 6 (1).
Application of Consumer Protection Act, 2002
(2) If the Director proposes to make an order under subsection (1), subsections 111 (2) to (7) of
the Consumer Protection Act, 2002apply with necessary modifications. 2002, c. 30, Sched. E, s. 6 (1).
Order for immediate compliance
(3) Despite subsection (2), the Director may make an order under subsection (1) to take effect
immediately if, in the Director’s opinion, to do so is necessary for the protection of the public or of any
person and in such case subsections 112 (2) to (6) of theConsumer Protection Act, 2002 apply with
necessary modifications and, subject to subsections 112 (3), (4) and (5) of that Act, the order takes
effect immediately. 2002, c. 30, Sched. E, s. 6 (1).
Appeal
(4) Even if, under section 11 of the Licence Appeal Tribunal Act, 1999, a party to a proceeding
before the Tribunal appeals an order of the Tribunal made under this section, the order takes effect
immediately but the Tribunal may grant a stay until the disposition of the appeal. 1999, c. 12, Sched. G,
s. 22 (2).
Assurance of voluntary compliance
7. (1) Any person against whom the Director proposes to make an order to comply with section 5
may enter into a written assurance of voluntary compliance in a form that the Director may prescribe
undertaking not to engage in the specified discriminatory business practice or other contravention of
section 5 after the date thereof. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 7 (1).
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Assurance or consent order deemed order
(2) Where an assurance of voluntary compliance is accepted by the Director or an order is made by
the Director with the consent of each person to be named in the order, the assurance or consent order
has and shall be given for all purposes of this Act the force and effect, other than the disqualification
provided by subsection 10 (1), of an order made by the Director. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 7 (2).
Undertakings
(3) An assurance of voluntary compliance may include such undertakings as are acceptable to the
Director and the Director may receive a bond and collateral therefor as security for the reimbursement
of the Treasurer of Ontario for investigation and other costs in such amount as is satisfactory to the
Director. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 7 (3).
Duties of Director
(4) The Director,
(a) shall receive and act on or mediate complaints respecting discriminatory business practices
and other contraventions of section 5; and
(b) shall maintain available for public inspection a record of,
(i) assurances of voluntary compliance entered into under this Act, and
(ii) orders made under this Act, other than orders in respect of which hearings or appeals
are pending, to cease engaging in discriminatory business practices or other
contraventions of section 5. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 7 (4).
Appointment of investigators
8. (1) The Director may appoint persons to be investigators for the purposes of conducting
investigations. 2002, c. 30, Sched. E, s. 6 (2); 2004, c. 19, s. 8 (1).
Certificate of appointment
(2) The Director shall issue to every investigator a certificate of appointment bearing his or her
signature or a facsimile of the signature. 2002, c. 30, Sched. E, s. 6 (2); 2004, c. 19, s. 8 (1).
Production of certificate of appointment
(3) Every investigator who is conducting an investigation, including under section 8.1, shall, upon
request, produce the certificate of appointment as an investigator. 2006, c. 34, s. 11 (2).
Search warrant
8.1 (1) Upon application made without notice by an investigator, a justice of the peace may issue a
warrant, if he or she is satisfied on information under oath that there is reasonable ground for believing
that,
(a) a person has contravened or is contravening this Act or the regulations; and
(b) there is,
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(i) in any building, dwelling, receptacle or place anything relating to the contravention of
this Act or the regulations, or
(ii) information or evidence relating to the contravention of this Act or the regulations that
may be obtained through the use of an investigative technique or procedure or the
doing of anything described in the warrant. 2002, c. 30, Sched. E, s. 6 (2); 2004, c. 19,
s. 8 (1); 2006, c. 34, s. 11 (3).
Same
(2) Subsections 107 (2) to (12) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 apply with necessary
modifications to a warrant issued under subsection (1). 2002, c. 30, Sched. E, s. 6 (2); 2004, c. 19,
s. 8 (1).
Seizure of things not specified
8.2 An investigator who is lawfully present in a place pursuant to a warrant or otherwise in the
execution of his or her duties may, without a warrant, seize anything in plain view that the investigator
believes on reasonable grounds will afford evidence relating to a contravention of this Act or the
regulations. 2006, c. 34, s. 11 (4).
Searches in exigent circumstances
8.3 (1) An investigator may exercise any of the powers described in subsection 107 (2) of
the Consumer Protection Act, 2002without a warrant if the conditions for obtaining the warrant exist
but by reason of exigent circumstances it would be impracticable to obtain the warrant. 2002, c. 30,
Sched. E, s. 6 (2); 2004, c. 19, s. 8 (1).
Dwellings
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a building or part of a building that is being used as a
dwelling. 2002, c. 30, Sched. E, s. 6 (2); 2004, c. 19, s. 8 (1).
Use of force
(3) The investigator may, in executing any authority given by this section, call upon police officers
for assistance and use whatever force is reasonably necessary. 2002, c. 30, Sched. E, s. 6 (2); 2004,
c. 19, s. 8 (1).
Applicability of s. 107, Consumer Protection Act, 2002
(4) Subsections 107 (5), (9), (10), (11) and (12) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 apply with
necessary modifications to a search under this section. 2002, c. 30, Sched. E, s. 6 (2); 2004, c. 19,
s. 8 (1).
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Right to compensation
9. (1) A person who incurs loss or damage as a result of an act that is a contravention of this Act
has the right to compensation for the loss or damage and to punitive or exemplary damages from the
person who committed the contravention. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 9 (1).
Enforcement of right
(2) The right to compensation mentioned in subsection (1) may be enforced by action in a court of
competent jurisdiction. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 9 (2).
Disqualification of person supporting boycott
10. (1) Every person against whom an order is made under section 6 or 11 or who is convicted of
an offence under clause 16 (1) (d) or (e) is ineligible to enter into a contract to provide goods or service
to the Crown or any agency of the Crown for a period of five years from the date of the making of the
order or of the conviction, as the case may be. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 10 (1).
Contractual provision
(2) A provision in a contract that provides for a matter that is a discriminatory business practice is
a nullity and is severable from the contract. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 10 (2).
Proceedings to prohibit continuation or repetition of contravention
11. (1) Where this Act is contravened, despite any other remedy or any penalty, the Minister or
any person who complains of injury due to the contravention may apply to a judge of the Superior
Court of Justice by originating motion for an order prohibiting the continuation or repetition of the
contravention or the carrying on of any activity specified in the order that, in the opinion of the judge,
will result or is likely to result in the continuation or repetition of the contravention by the person
committing the contravention, and the judge may make the order and it may be enforced in the same
manner as any other order or judgment of the court. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 11 (1); 2001, c. 9,
Sched. D, s. 14.
Variation or rescission of order
(2) A person against whom an order has been made under subsection (1) may apply to a judge of
the Superior Court of Justice for an order varying or rescinding the order made under subsection (1).
R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 11 (2); 2001, c. 9, Sched. D, s. 14.
Service of notice
12. Any notice or document required by this Act to be served or given may be served or given
personally or by registered mail addressed to the person to whom notice is to be given at the person’s
last known address and, where notice is served or given by mail, the service shall be deemed to have
been made on the fifth day after the day of mailing unless the person to whom notice is given
establishes that the person, acting in good faith, through absence, accident, illness or other cause
beyond the person’s control, did not receive the notice, or did not receive the notice until a later date.
R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 12.
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Matters confidential
13. Every person employed in the administration of this Act, including any person making an
inquiry, inspection or an investigation, shall preserve secrecy in respect of all matters that come to his
or her knowledge in the course of his or her duties, employment, inquiry, inspection or investigation
and shall not communicate any such matters to any other person except,
(a) as may be required in connection with the administration of this Act or any proceeding
under or in accordance with this Act;
(b) to his or her counsel or to the court in any proceeding under or in accordance with this
Act;
(c) to inform the person involved of a discriminatory business practice and of any information
relevant to the person’s rights under this Act; or
(d) with the consent of the person to whom the information relates. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12,
s. 13; 2002, c. 30, Sched. E, s. 6 (3).
Certificate of Director as evidence
14. A copy of an order or assurance of voluntary compliance purporting to be certified by the
Director is, without proof of the office or signature of the Director, receivable in evidence as proof in
the absence of evidence to the contrary of the facts stated therein for all purposes in any action,
proceeding or prosecution. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 14.
Regulations
15. (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations exempting any person or class
of persons from any provision of this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 15 (1).
Tabling in Assembly
(2) A regulation made under subsection (1) shall be tabled in the Assembly as soon as practicable
after the day on which it comes into force if the Assembly is in session or, if not, at the commencement
of the next session. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 15 (2).
Offences
16. (1) Every person who, knowingly,
(a) furnishes false information in an investigation under this Act;
(b) fails to comply with any order or assurance of voluntary compliance made or entered into
under this Act;
(c) obstructs a person making an investigation under section 8.1 or 8.3;
(d) contravenes any provision of subsection 5 (2), (4), (5) or (8); or
(e) contravenes any provision of section 13,
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is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $25,000. R.S.O. 1990,
c. D.12, s. 16 (1); 2002, c. 30, Sched. E, s. 6 (4); 2004, c. 19, s. 8 (2).
Corporation
(2) Where a corporation is convicted of an offence under subsection (1), the maximum penalty that
may be imposed upon the corporation is $100,000 and not as provided therein. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12,
s. 16 (2).
Directors and officers
(3) Where a corporation has been convicted of an offence under subsection (1) or (2),
(a) each director of the corporation; and
(b) each officer, servant or agent of the corporation who was in whole or in part responsible
for the conduct of that part of the business of the corporation that gave rise to the offence,
is a party to the offence unless he or she satisfies the court that he or she did not authorize, permit or
acquiesce in the offence. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 16 (3).
Limitation period
(4) No proceeding under this section shall be commenced more than two years after the time when
the subject-matter of the proceeding arose. R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 16 (4).
Annual report
17. The Director shall report annually to the Minister on the enforcement of this Act and on such
other matters related to this Act as the Director considers advisable or the Minister may require, and the
report shall set out,
(a) the names of all persons who entered into assurances of voluntary compliance under this
Act in the year with the Director;
(b) the names of all persons against whom orders, other than orders in respect of which
hearings or appeals are pending, have been made under this Act in the year to cease
engaging in discriminatory business practices or other contraventions of section 5;
(c) the number of complaints received by the Director in the year respecting discriminatory
business practices and other contraventions of section 5, together with,
(i) the number of complaints mediated and the results of the mediations, and
(ii) the number of complaints acted on and the action taken;
(d) the number and nature of the requests and responses reported to the Director in accordance
with subsection 5 (8) in the year, the action taken thereon and the results of the action
taken; and
(e) the names of all persons convicted of offences under this Act in the year, including the
offence for which each was convicted and, in each case, the penalty imposed,
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and the Minister shall lay the report before the Assembly if it is in session or, if not, at the next session.
R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12, s. 17.
Appendix B
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Avi Benlolo
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Israel under attack
JUNE 10, 2015, 2:19 PM
The Jewish world is finally paying attention to the biggest lie to infect humanity since the Protocols of
the Elders of Zion and the Blood Libel: BDS. The so-called boycott, divestment and sanction campaign
against the Jewish state is nothing more than a recycled and repackaged form of antisemitism.
Suddenly, everyone is paying attention. A not so secret meeting was held in Las Vegas this past
weekend to devise a counter plan. In the last few days, the CEO of the French telecoms group Orange
is back peddling on his original threat to pull out of Israel; Britain’s Lord Rabbi Sacks claims BDS
makes it difficult for Europe’s Jews to support Israel; at Israel’s annual Herzylia Conference in March,
former French President Nickolas Sarkozy was mesmerized by Israel’s innovative spirit and
denounced the boycott campaign, while several American states are considering anti-BDS legislation.
The world has awoken – Baruch Hashem!
This global attack against the Jewish homeland officially began in Durban, South Africa on September
8, 2001, with the conclusion of the United Nations sponsored conference designed to end hate.
Instead, hate was what the world got: 3,000 Americans were killed in three days, as Palestinians
cheered in Ramallah and Gaza, handing out candy. This is who the BDS proponents are aligned with?
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The Durban conference was the beginning of the coordinated anti-Israel crusade now confronting
Jewish communities around the world. Several months after Durban, I infiltrated a Palestinian
solidarity conference at the University of Toronto; to gain entrance, I had to sign a waiver stating that I
agree “with resistance by any means.” So much for free speech on campus! This was at the height of
the Intifada and Palestinian suicide bombings, which killed over 1,000 Israelis and injured scores
more.
The conference left me rattled, but very informed about the pernicious evil that was lurking in the
shadows. Durban was a Pandora’s Box – and 9/11 was the match that lit the flame of hate. University
students began to subscribe to a blueprint ensconced at Durban – to defame and delegitimize Israel
with a preposterous campaign linking it, against all reason, honesty or reality, with apartheid South
Africa.
In phase one, the campaign would mislabel Israel “an apartheid state” – creating the false impression
that racism and tyranny is at the core of Israeli society. Nothing could be further from the truth, but in
a democracy, and with the protection of “free speech” providing legitimacy on university campuses,
extremist Islamic groups have reveled in bullying Jewish and pro-Israel students at vicious and
discriminatory “Israeli apartheid week” events year after year for more than a decade.
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center went on a frontal assault. We took out full page ads to embarrass
the universities. We created counter educational weeks. We campaigned against the administration.
But the groups continued to desecrate the rights and freedoms given to them by the democracy we
cherish. Those who supported them, drunk with antisemitic venom, readily ignored gender apartheid in
most Muslim nations; the murder of homosexuals; slaughter, torture and famine by tyrannical Islamic
regimes, and nearly every horrific human rights violation one can envision. In an incomprehensible
display of blatant antisemitism, this June the British National Union of Students voted to support BDS,
but rejected a condemnation of ISIS in the fall of 2014.
And after years of promoting slander and hate, the BDS assault shifted to phase two: an economic
boycott – a tactic with which the Jewish people is all too familiar. An attempt to strangle Israel
economically is not so different from historic boycotts of Jewish people. In fact, Hitler’s first action on
April 1, 1933 was to boycott Jewish businesses. The Arab League too has boycotted Israel for years
in hopes of suffocating and destroying the Jewish state.
Like antisemitism, the BDS campaign is infectious; trendy and easy. Student administrations on
university campuses around the world are readily passing boycott resolutions against the free and
democratic state of Israel. A country that has given its Palestinian community the highest standard of
living and freedom anywhere in the Middle East today is being slandered. The question is – why?
The BDS Movement is antisemitic at its very core because of the double standard it presents: those
who are promoting the Movement and its lies are not sending aid flotillas to Syria; they are not pushing
for gay rights in Iran or for freedom and education for women in Saudi Arabia. They are intensely,
obsessively and compulsively focused on the Jew among the nations – the tiny state of Israel that
represents only .01% of the global population.
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By all reason, the BDS campaign is irrational. Yet how is it that some of the most seemingly rational
academics, entertainers, politicians and corporate leaders buy into an economic boycott of Israel? We
asked ourselves a very similar question in 1933 when Hitler rose to power.
Sadly, the world’s oldest prejudice – antisemitism – has been diffused in religion, politics,
entertainment, academia and more for two millennia. From Wannsee in 1942 to Durban in 2001 and
campuses across the western world today, this same anti-Jewish genocidal hate is playing out again.
Now is the time for global Jewish leadership and non-Jewish supporters of Israel to wake up and heed
the call.
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Appendix C
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Appendix D
Canada-Israel Strategic Partnership
Memorandum of Understanding
Canada and Israel have shared a close partnership since 1948 and the founding of the Jewish
State of Israel, based and built on the foundation of a shared commitment to a common set of core
values, principles and interests such as democracy, free markets, security, peace, justice, human
rights and freedom, which have guided the development of their full, mutually beneficial and
supportive relationship,
Understanding that the security of Israel and the wider region directly affects the security of
Canada,
Recognizing that Israel, Canada, and all nations of the world, under the UN Charter, have the right
to live in peace and security and the right of self-defence;
Considering that they have a long history of diplomatic cooperation, bilaterally and in a variety of
multilateral fora,
Wishing to deepen their relationship by enhancing their bilateral engagement and cooperation
across the widest possible spectrum to promote and enhance these values, commitments and
interests, resting on the four central pillars of diplomatic partnership: security, economic prosperity
and culture and education,
Building on an already extensive network of linkages, agreements, arrangements and
understandings;
Understanding that the intent of the Canada-Israel Strategic Partnership is to provide a forwardlooking framework – covering the four pillars, which will provide additional structure and strategic
direction to the further development and strengthening of their bilateral relationship,
Wish to found a Strategic Partnership with this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
1. A Diplomatic Partnership
Establishing a Diplomatic Partnership between Canada and Israel,
Considering that they are vital and dynamic members of the international community,
And that they are committed to exploiting fully the opportunities available to jointly advance their
common interests and values,
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Considering that the promotion and protection of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of
law is an integral part of their respective society and foreign policy,
Acknowledging that Canada is recognized globally for its leadership on human rights issues, taking
principled positions to promote universal values of pluralism and tolerance throughout the world,
Understanding that attempts to isolate, delegitimize and undermine Israel violate core international
principles, are at odds with Canadian and Israeli values of tolerance and mutual respect, and
prevent meaningful dialogue,
Enhancing Canada and Israel’s respective and collective capabilities, and building on already
substantial foundations, a Canada-Israel diplomatic partnership will advance the national interests of
both of them,
Considering that their regular consultations and diplomatic engagement have enhanced linkages and
deepened their mutual understanding of regional and global challenges,
Wishing to broaden the already wide spectrum of formal and informal understandings that have
guided the diplomatic relationship to give it additional focus and direction,
Aiming to ensure that International Institutions remain true to their ideals, principles and Charters,
as they apply to all responsible members of the international community while creating opportunities
to advance peace, prosperity, human rights and democracy,
Understanding that regular consultations, diplomatic engagement and collaboration between them
will deepen bilateral linkages and broaden mutual understanding of regional and global challenges.
A. Government to Government Meetings: Recognizing the importance of Government to
Government meetings that deepen the relationship and the cooperation between them,
Canada and Israel will:
1. Conduct periodic Government to Government meetings, to take place in each country.
B. Ministerial Contacts:
Canada and Israel will:
1. Maintain a steady flow of Ministerial visits;
2. Conduct Ministerial meetings on the margins of international conferences attended by both of
them, including UN General Assembly;
3. Conduct regular consultations on important themes in preparation for major international
summits.
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C. Foreign Ministry Cooperation: Recognizing that cooperation between Foreign Ministry officials
is frequent, covering formalized consultations and ad hoc, issue-oriented discussions in Ottawa and
Jerusalem and multilateral fora,
Canada and Israel will:
1. Conduct annual Political Consultations at the level of the Deputy Foreign Minister of Canada and
his or her counterpart, the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, to
address regional, global and bilateral issues and work toward Foreign Ministers participation at
least once every five years;
2. Develop diplomatic reporting exchange mechanisms – focusing on areas where there are
regional gaps;
3. Explore opportunities for joint or shared training initiatives in their respective Foreign Ministry
and Department;
4. Organize speakers programs involving visits by Ministry experts for consultations with their
counterparts;
5. Explore additional diplomatic representation needs such as advocacy, service delivery and
emergency assistance in countries where Canada or Israel is not present;
6. Continue to support the strengthening of partnerships between Israel and its neighbours and
Mediterranean partners; and,
7. Conduct annual research dialogues.
D. International Development Cooperation: Under the terms of the CIDA-MASHAV
Memorandum of Understanding signed at Ottawa in December 2012,
Canada and Israel will:
1. Conduct consultations between high level officials to support its implementation, including
identification of new countries of cooperation;
2. Work towards Ministerial consultations at least once every five years;
3. Explore cooperation in joint project and research and program development in third countries;
4. Strengthen high-level policy dialogue and institutional linkages;
5. Share lessons learned and best practices in international development;
6. Protect the most vulnerable by working to meet the Millennium Development Goals through
development cooperation, and collaborate on the UN-led process to articulate a post-2015
development agenda;
7. Use effective, results-based development assistance in areas such as food security, agriculture,
children and youth, humanitarian assistance, and sustainable economic growth, as well as to
protect the health of mothers and children, including, inter alia, through the G8 Muskoka
Initiative;
8. Where possible, partnering with Grand Challenges Canada in fostering communities of
innovators working together to solve key development challenges and assist in establishing
Grand Challenges Israel.
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E. Multilateral Cooperation: Recognizing that there is wide scope for consultations and strategic
planning across the spectrum of multilateral organizations,
Canada and Israel will:
1. Establish a Multilateral Working Group (MWG) to develop strategy to address upcoming
challenges and opportunities in various fora;
2. Hold regular sub-consultations in order to discuss implementation at the functional level and
support the MWG process;
3. Aim for the MWG to consult annually, with members to be designated as needed.
F. Cooperation in Multilateral Organisations:
1. Cooperate on matters relating to membership processes or participation in international
organizations; and,
2. Hold an annual dialogue in preparation for General Assembly Meetings, and cooperate during
the work of the GA Committees.
2. Defence and Security
Recognizing that both Canada and Israel seek the right to live in peace, with security, as members
of the international community, Canada and Israel are committed to ensure this reality,
Sharing a deep commitment to defend freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law and
standing together to jointly protect these common values through their renewed and strengthened
partnership,
Pledging to strengthen their defence and security cooperation by continuing to fully implement
existing security initiatives and by intending to enhance information and intelligence sharing while
seeking new opportunities to fulfill their shared vision of safe and secure societies,
Furthering their shared commitment of greater peace and security, guided by the principles of
openness, cooperation, and partnership and working together with the deepest respect for each
other’s unique contributions to the relationship,
Canada and Israel will base the scope of their activities for this deeper defence and security
relationship on the following seven themes:
A. Increased Security Discussions between Relevant Ministries and
Departments: Recognizing that frequent exchanges enable them to share information and build a
common understanding of the threats they are facing, they have met frequently for talks on a wide
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range of issues, which has helped greatly in establishing a strong and open security and defence
relationship.
To further benefit from this relationship, Canada and Israel will hold:
1. Annual consultations between senior officials leading to the G8 Foreign Ministerial;
2. Quarterly teleconferences between senior officials to inform on recent developments; and,
3. Exchange of information assessments.
B. Broader Defence Relations: Recognizing the signature by the Canadian Department of National
Defence and the Israeli Ministry of Defence of the Principal Memorandum of Understanding (PMOU)
on January 10, 2011 as a milestone in their defence relations, resulting in a significant increase in
defence ties,
Wishing to further the improvements to the defence relationship which have already been
accomplished since the signing of the PMOU and other arrangements,
Canada and Israel will:
1. Maintain the frequency of high-level visits, including regular meetings at the political level;
2. Conduct annual senior level Strategic Defence Policy Dialogues;
3. Maintain Military Attaché Offices in their respective countries which are appropriate and reflect
increased defence relations;
4. Establish a high-level military-to-military working group to formalize and inform military-tomilitary relations and cooperation;
5. Conduct port visits;
6. Regularize joint training opportunities including participation in bilateral and multilateral
exercises of regular and special operation forces;
7. Increase Research and Development (R & D), defence material cooperation, and defence
procurement opportunities.
C. Strengthened Counter-Terrorism Collaboration: Recognizing the threat that terrorism poses
and wishing to protect their citizens against those who desire to attack their democratic societies,
Canada and Israel will strengthen counter-terrorism collaboration by:
1. Strengthening diplomatic cooperation aimed at countering and denouncing terrorist
organizations, particularly those operating in the Middle East;
2. Strengthening cooperation on the designation of terror organizations with an emphasis on
extremist forces that operate in the Middle East and globally.
3. Deepening cooperation aimed at monitoring and countering trends of radicalization leading to
violence by global movements including the threat posed by travel for terrorist purposes;
4. Conducting bi-annual Counter Terrorism Consultations with Senior Officials to address shared
terrorism threats and avenues for cooperation, including advocacy, engagement and
programming;
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5. Coordinating and cooperating in multilateral frameworks and enhancing common goals and
interests through active participation in their initiatives related to the global fight against
terrorism;
6. Enhancing intelligence sharing, as appropriate;
7. Seeking opportunities to work together with third countries to provide capacity building in order
to contribute to their overall security; and,
8. Supporting the efforts to prevent arms smuggling aimed to supply terrorist organizations.
D. Advance Regional Security and Middle East Peace:
Canada and Israel will work toward greater regional stability and security and in supporting Middle
East Peace efforts by:
1. Continuing to support targeted development assistance and training opportunities relevant for
the institutions of the Palestinian Authority.
E. Enhanced Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness: Understanding that information
sharing and cooperation on public safety issues and emergency preparedness is well entrenched
between them and that it continues to grow,
Recognizing further that Public Safety Canada and the agencies under its portfolio have excellent
relations with Israel’s Ministry of Public Security and other partner agencies (such as the Ministry of
Home Front Defence), particularly in the context of the 2008 Canada-Israel Declaration of Intent,
which prioritizes broad areas for ongoing cooperation, including Critical Infrastructure Protection;
Correctional Services and Prisons; Law Enforcement Cooperation; Border Management and Security;
Emergency Management; and Crime Prevention.
Taking into account the 2008 Canada-Israel Declaration of Intent, Canada and Israel will:
1. Meet annually to discuss mutual priorities which would benefit them;
2. Explore and identify key public safety and emergency preparedness matters of mutual interest;
3. Continue the exchange of best practices and lessons learned;
4. Develop and deliver joint projects to improve the safety and security of their citizens; and,
5. Explore opportunities to provide capacity building assistance to third countries to manage their
public safety issues.
F. Cyber Security: Recognizing that malicious cyber activity can undermine the significant
economic and social benefits that accompany the growth of cyberspace and technological
innovation,
Canada and Israel will:
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1. Exchange information on national cyber security policies and best practices to strengthen their
respective cyber security;
2. Continue operational collaboration on a case by case basis between their respective national
computer security incident response team, the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Center in
Canada and CERTGOV in Israel; and,
3. Conduct officials and expert visits to promote cooperation between their respective
organizations with cyber security responsibilities.
G. Improved Aviation Security: Understanding that cooperation between Transport Canada and
Israel’s Ministry of Transport and Road Safety is a key component of enhancing the security of their
aviation systems – in particular strengthening the security of Canadian and Israeli airline passengers
and air cargo,
Canada and Israel will work together to facilitate and enhance cooperation to protect their air
transport industries and the travelling public, including working toward a Declaration of Intent to
advance the following key objectives:
1. Share knowledge, experience, expertise, information, research and best practices;
2. Identify and share aviation security concerns on the basis of threats, risk assessments,
priorities, vulnerabilities and consequences;
3. Facilitate technical exchange cooperation, including education, training and exercises;
4. Establish a senior level Management Committee to coordinate the delivery of approved
activities; and,
5. Encourage mutual visits and enhance cooperation between Directors of Airports.
3. Economic Prosperity
Recognizing that they are trading nations, and both their economic growth and prosperity in both
Canada and Israel are inextricably linked to trade;
Considering that the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA), combined with a range of other
economic agreements, provides a facilitative framework for the development of a prosperous
economic partnership and that such instruments reflect their goodwill to more fully develop
commercial linkages between them,
Recognizing that there is considerable scope to expand and more fully develop the commercial
partnership by improving the framework, knowledge and understanding of the opportunities
available to the private sector in each country;
Committing to engaging their business communities to ensure that the economic partnership
reaches its full potential;
Canada and Israel will:
A. Expand the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA):
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1. Conduct negotiations with the goal to expand and modernize the current CIFTA agreement;
2. Establish annual consultations led by DFATD and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which:
1. (a) Will include the participation of representatives from other economic-related
ministries and departments; and
2. (b) Will address other issues such as agricultural R&D, green growth, G-20 initiatives,
energy, and others as they may mutually decide upon.
B. Conduct Trade and Investment Missions:
1. Conduct mutually decided-upon trade and investment missions no less than once every (two)
years in each country, involving trade delegates as well as potential investors from priority
areas of commercial focus in their countries. Canada and Israel understand that these missions
will be attended by the highest levels of industry, business and government in order to ensure
productivity.
C. Promote Science, Technology and Innovation:
1. Promote collaborative research and development aimed at increasing commercial opportunities
between Canadian and Israeli companies with a view to increasing mutual competitiveness.
This may include sectors such as aerospace and defence, information and communications
technology (ICT), life sciences and cleaner energy technology;
2. Support bilateral cooperation in areas of industrial research and development with the
assistance of such agencies as MATIMOP – the Israeli Industry Center for Research and
Development and the National Research Council of Canada;
3. Work with partners who promote innovation and start-up enterprises in both countries; and,
4. Further cooperate to advance shared energy interests, mainly in the responsible development
of unconventional oil and gas technologies.
D. Improve Global Economic Conditions:
1. Cooperate to safeguard mutual prosperity, including cooperation where possible between
financial markets and institutions;
2. Rigorously promote global efforts to ensure strong sustainable and balanced growth, sound
fiscal management, healthy financial sectors and regulatory systems, open markets,
productivity-enhancing structural reforms;
3. Cooperate on matters of Innovation between them; and,
4. Cooperate in multilateral fora on internet-related issues given the cross-cutting implications of
the current multi-stakeholder internet governance model which allows for openness,
competition and innovation, thus contributing to global social and democratic development.
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4. Science, Culture, Education and Sport
Considering the full respect for the legislative powers of the provinces and territories of Canada and
the full respect for the legislative powers of the Government of Israel in the fields of education and
training, and the autonomy of the higher education and training institutions;
Considering that they share a set of core values and people-to-people linkages which form a core
foundation of the bilateral relationship,
Understanding that cultural and academic exchanges, either formal or informal, reinforce a long
tradition of people-to-people ties which supports these linkages and underlines the natural affinity
between their citizens,
Canada and Israel intend to:
A. Scientific cooperation:
1. Encourage and support scientific collaboration between their academic research institutions
where possible;
B. Academic exchanges:
1. Explore the possibility of establishing an Academic Exchange program including both education
and research, applicable to various levels of academic study, in areas of key interest for them,
such as innovation and technology, with the goal to build academic diplomacy and grow
expertise;
2. Explore the possibility of establishing a joint research program in priority areas decided upon by
both sides.
C. Cultural exchanges:
1. Examine the possibility of youth exchanges, with the goal of creating understanding of Canada’s
and Israel’s unique cultural heritages.
D. Sport:
1. Explore the possibility of joint projects in the field of sport, with the goal of promoting the
positive values inherent in sporting activity and healthy lifestyle.
5. Law and Society
Considering they share the core values of a democratic legal culture respecting human rights,
promoting children rights, and encouraging civil society participation,
They will, inter alia:
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1. Conduct periodic consultations on legal issues of mutual interest between legal departments of
both Foreign Ministry and Department;
2. Consider a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding for the recovery of child support; and,
3. Encourage exchanges between their courts.
6. Reporting and Assessment
1. Canada and Israel will review annually, during the political consultations process, the progress
made in achieving the desired goals and benchmarks set out in this MOU. Canada and Israel
understand that such review will comprise a part of the reports to the appropriate Ministers
prepared following these consultations.
2. While possible changes or additions will be part of this annual process, Canada and Israel will
conduct a comprehensive review of this MOU every five years with specific recommendations on
changes as necessary.
7. Final Dispositions
1. This MOU will take effect on the date of its signature.
2. Canada and Israel may amend this MOU upon their mutual written consent.
3. Canada or Israel may terminate this MOU by giving a written notice to the other country.
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Appendix E
THE BLOGS
>
Tammi Rossman-Benjamin
This post has been contributed by a third party. The opinions, facts and any media content here are presented solely by the
author, and The Times of Israel assumes no responsibility for them. In case of abuse, report this post.
A staggering 70% of Jewish
students experienced antiSemitism at UC
NOVEMBER 17, 2015, 8:41 PM 31
The University of California (UC) has recently witnessed an alarming escalation in anti-Semitic activity.
The many incidents of anti-Semitism last year made repeated national headlines. And school has been back
in session a mere handful of weeks and already numerous frightening incidents have been reported,
including swastikas and “F*** Jews” carved into multiple cars.
In order to understand the campus climate for UC Jewish students, AMCHA Initiative carried out an on-line
survey last month. The results are extremely troubling.
More than 70% of the respondents reported witnessing or experiencing anti-Semitism on campus including
anti-Semitic graffiti, heckling, name-calling, threats and physical assaults.
In addition, more than 60% of respondents reported that BDS activity promotes hostile actions towards
Jewish students, and more than one-third of the students felt that campus administrators were not sensitive
to Jewish concerns.
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Most troubling of all were the dozens of comments that students shared describing anti-Semitic incidents
that they had experienced or witnessed, including rhetoric and behavior that go far beyond political or
scholarly debate. For example:

A student at UCSC wrote: “One of my friends wearing a yarmulke was walking into the library and had a
member of Students for Justice in Palestine wearing a border patrol uniform say Hitler was right.”

A student at UCI wrote: “I was called a “kike” on campus by Students for Justice in Palestine and my two
female friends and I were shoved to the ground and physically assaulted…I am afraid to be on this campus.”

A student at UCSB wrote: “My friend was out at night and a student from Students for Justice in Palestine
called her demeaning names and spat at her.”
Respondents also commented extensively on the hostile environment that BDS has created for Jewish
students on their campus. For example:

A student at UCD wrote: “During BDS I actually avoid Hillel, the quad, and even my sorority because I just
really don’t want to have to deal with how unsafe campus feels during that time. Everyone in my entire
Jewish sphere is stressed and anxious and I have never experienced that level of discomfort in my
community until coming to UC Davis.” She added that she and her friends don’t wear their Greek letters
during BDS for fear of being identified as Jewish.

A student at UCSB wrote: “Whenever BDS [advocates] present the divestment resolution on campus, the
entire campus climate changes…My anxiety increases three-fold and I genuinely experience PTSD after the
meetings.”
The student testimonials demonstrate unequivocally that many Jewish students are targeted, harassed and
intimidated regardless of how they feel about Israel. They also demonstrate the frightening extent to which
BDS campaigns are steeped in anti-Semitic themes and lead to anti-Jewish incitement and behavior.
Jewish students have the right to feel safe regardless of what they or others feel about the action of the
Israeli government. UC has the obligation to provide this safe environment.
The university recently formed a committee to address the frightening rise in anti-Jewish hatred, much of
which is tied directly to contentious anti-Israel campaigns. This is an important development.
The first task of the committee should be to adopt a school-wide definition of anti-Semitism that can be
used to properly identify and educate against anti-Semitism. As we all know, the first step to addressing a
problem is to name it, to understand it. Our government has a definition it has been using for a decade to
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identify anti-Semitism around the globe. The US State Department’s definition recognizes that
contemporary anti-Semitism has assumed various forms and, as the US Commission on Civil Rights found,
is often “camouflaged as anti-Israelism or anti-Zionism.” As Pope Francis declared last month and UC
students have been saying for months, denying Israel’s right to exist is no less anti-Semitic than swastikas,
anti-Semitic slurs and discrimination based on religion.
It’s time the university stood up for Jewish students and put an end to the hate that has been festering for far
too long.
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