2011

Audit of Antisemitic Incidents

PATTERNS OF PREJUDICE IN CANADA

ADVANCE MEDIA COPY

League for Human Rights of Bnai Brith Canada Ligue des droits de la personne

Table of Contents
A. OVERVIEW
Introduction
Antisemitism in Canada: A 30-Year Retrospective What is Antisemitism? The Canary in the Coalmine
2 3 3

B. FINDINGS OF THE AUDIT

1. The Overall Picture 2. Classification by Type of Incidents
i. Community and Private Property ii. Workplace iii. Educational Settings iv. Web-Based Hate v. Neo-Nazi/White Supremacist Activity vi. Perpetrators vii. Patters of Occurrence viii. The Picture from the Regions ix. Global Comparisons 5 6 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 10

3. Examples of Incidents

C. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Conclusion 2. Recommendations
13

14

1
L e a g u e f o r H u m a n R i g h t s o f B n a i B r i t h C a n a d a 2 0 11 A u d i t o f A n t i s e m i t i c I n c i d e n t s

A. OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTION
Antisemitism in Canada: A 30-Year Retrospective
It is 30 years since the League for Human Rights of Bnai Brith Canada first started to document antisemitism through an annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents. Coincidentally, this year also marks a seminal anniversary in Canadian jurisprudence: the 1982 enactment of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms , legislation that promised the constitutional entrenchment of such basic rights as freedom of religion. Legislative advances notwithstanding, in terms of continued prejudice towards Jews and other religious minorities in Canada, the attitudes of Canadians as they contemplate neighbours with different customs and traditions, has not undergone any radically transformative change. In fact, available data shows that the number of antisemitic incidents has increased in the intervening years; compared to just ten years ago, the number of incidents has increased threefold. Clearly, an underlying thread of bigotry still runs through both public and private discourse, whether explicit or nuanced, reflecting continuing, deeply-rooted, underlying prejudice.

it light years away from states across the globe that propagate or enable bigotry, discrimination and a raft of human rights abuses. And yet, as the findings of the Leagues 2011 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents illustrate, antiJewish prejudice is not obsolete in this country, nor is antisemitism even dormant. The decrease of 0.7% in the number of incidents reported to the League in 2011 compared with the 2010 data is too negligible to be described as anything other than a reflection of a sustained, ongoing undercurrent of antisemitism.

The 1,297 reported incidents in 2011 offer a cross-section of what anti-Jewish prejudice looks like in Canada, illustrating a darker side to the advance of multiculturalism in this country. There are clearly still quarters where anti-Jewish ideologies find resonance, prompting hate-motivated activity - vandalism, harassment and even violence - in a variety of sectors of society. One has only to look at ongoing prejudice against the most visible of orthodox Jews, Chasidic communities in Quebec for example, to see that differences in dress and custom still have the power to drive hatred. And even where obvious religious differences were less visible, antisemitic slurs were never far beneath the surface in several cases reported in Ontario in 2011 of disputes between neighbours where one party knew - or assumed, sometimes wrongly - that the other To be sure, public and institutional discourse was Jewish. on the celebration of Canadian multicultural diversity ethnic, religious and cultural is This finding of a persistence in hate activity flourishing apace. Important inroads have motivated by religion against Jews and Jewish been made in education and awareness- institutions, as reported by the League over the building; promising alliances have been forged past three decades, has been substantiated between communities. Reasonable accommo- over and over again by police hate crime unit dation of religious and cultural requirements is reports in several jurisdictions, and by Statisin general accepted - albeit with pockets of re- tics Canada investigations as well. Just sistance - at least in principle. Canada is a recently, in a Stats Canada study of hate crimes country where minority rights are protected reported to police country-wide in 2010, the and different traditions are celebrated, placing Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics'
2
L e a g u e f o r H u m a n R i g h t s o f B n a i B r i t h C a n a d a 2 0 11 A u d i t o f A n t i s e m i t i c I n c i d e n t s

Incident-based Uniform Crime Reporting Survey found yet again that Jews were the most targeted group in religiously motivated hate crimes. Studies south of the border such as the FBI's Hate Crimes Statistics 2010 further corroborate these findings, indicating the road travelled since the League first began documenting antisemitism in 1982 has been a uphill struggle.

What is Antisemitism?
Adding fuel to the fire, populist movements searching for supporters often find it expedient to co-opt the type of rhetoric and imagery that oils the wheels of antisemitism. Hence the conflation of anti-Israel and antisemitic themes in the rank-and-file rallying cries of a variety of unrelated anti-globalization, antipoverty, campus, church, union and other such coalitions, or the anti-Jewish bent of many modern-day conspiracy theorists. Demonization of the Jewish State, delegitimization of its right to exist and defend itself, and selective and obsessive preoccupation only with Israels alleged human rights infractions while ignoring actual human rights abuses elsewhere, go well beyond the type of constructive criticism of state policy that could - and should - be directed against any country. As emphasized before, legitimate critiques of Israel are not considered antisemitism by the League, nor are they included amongst the incidents documented in this study. Denying the collective right of the Jewish People - alone out of all nations - the right to self determination in their own homeland, in much the same way as Jews were denied individual human rights is the past, is another matter.

claims that Jews are unable to understand the concept of victimization since they are universally privileged. This goes hand in hand with Holocaust Denial from the Far Right, commonly presented under the guise of scholarly discourse, which is bent on denying the reality of historical truth regarding the Nazi era, and tries to rehabilitate the image of the perpetrators and give new currency to the anti-Jewish ideologies of the past. At both extremes of the political spectrum we see alliances being made with yet a third group - a global propaganda movement that attempts to re-cast Jews as oppressors, "colonialists" and "despoilers" in the Middle East. This group excuses threats from Islamists against Israel, Jewish communities and individual Jews, and even rationalizes attacks such as the Toulouse school massacre, and other threats to Diaspora communities, on the grounds that Jews who will not disassociate themselves from the Jewish State, and instead insist on its right to exist in safety and security, are legitimate targets for violence.

Despite the diverse ideological underpinnings of these three distinctly separate movements, they seem to find common ground on the Jewish Question. It is as if there were a natural affinity on the subject between these incongruous allies when they come together to attack both the individual and collective rights of the Jewish People from multiple directions at once. All three elements of this dubious partnership were reflected in the incidents documented in this study that took place in Canada in 2011, illustrating the many different faces of antisemitism and the contexts in As part of a reframing of public discourse on which they occur. antisemitism that has taken place over the past 30 years, we increasingly see attempts by the The Canary in the Coalmine Far Left to deny that this pernicious age-old Bearing in mind the canary in the coalmine hatred is even a form of racism, along with analogy, the Leagues Audit has traditionally
3
L e a g u e f o r H u m a n R i g h t s o f B n a i B r i t h C a n a d a 2 0 11 A u d i t o f A n t i s e m i t i c I n c i d e n t s

been considered a barometer of the general level of prejudice against minorities in this country. And that is why studies of this nature, which explore and expose the changing face of hatred, analyzing continuing or new trends, patterns of occurrence and attitudinal shifts, all have relevance far beyond the confines of the Jewish community.

in online chat groups or through social media networks. When such messaging goes viral, it can reach a potential audience of massive proportions. Today the sheer volume of hate being propagated via a range of new technologies defies quantification, but that does not mean it should be ignored. Reported incidents give us a qualitative indication of current trends, such as cyber bullying, and trying to We need to ask when discussing racism in deny the potential harm they expose is cavalier general, in the past 30 years, have attitudes and irresponsible. changed? Or have they just crystallized into something apparently more socially accept- Similarly, is the excuse its just kids acting able, with prejudice seeping into the fabric of out to become the standard justification for society, so that distasteful opinions and vandalism against religious institutions and attitudes have now become part of the cultural even violence against those who are different? landscape? Should a purveyor of racism be Are we to tolerate teens who swarm and beat able to justify bigoted language on the grounds up an individual on the way to synagogue? Is that it employs vocabulary or analogies that the case of students setting fire to a Jewish have unofficially entered the realms of teenager's hair in an ugly burst of antisemitism accepted usage through everyday slurs, jokes to be dismissed as merely a prank? And where and innuendos? Surely, accepting expressions does an elementary school student learn to of racism as merely an offshoot of normal identify himself as a Nazi and call another social and cultural discourse is to deny that the child a Jew-boy? These are questions that bigotry at the very roots of such un-Canadian merit close consideration as we consider how dialogue needs to be addressed. behaviour in society has evolved and the directions it may yet take, and try to navigate One has to wonder at the value system of boundaries that have become increasingly certain commentators who, year after year blurred between what is acceptable and what without fail, seek to challenge and undermine crosses the line. the gravity of the Audit's findings. This generally takes the form of using ridicule to dismiss The findings that follow, when viewed in the the impact of harassment, even such incidents context of the dynamics discussed above, can as death threats against individuals. Such provide us with one more piece of the puzzle detractors fail to understand that antisemitism that characterizes the shifting patterns of does not end with the traumatic impact on in- prejudice in Canada, and help us to create a dividual victims and their families, but instead blueprint for change. The recommendations spreads outwards in concentric circles. Some- that conclude the 2011 Audit will suggest ways times this is sparked by hate messages shared to make this happen.

4
L e a g u e f o r H u m a n R i g h t s o f B n a i B r i t h C a n a d a 2 0 11 A u d i t o f A n t i s e m i t i c I n c i d e n t s

B. FINDINGS OF THE AUDIT

1. THE OVERALL PICTURE
In 2011, the League for Human Rights documented 1,297 antisemitic incidents across Canada, a decrease of less than 1% (-0.7%) over the 2010 data, The 2011 findings clearly indicate that antisemitism in Canada has continued its elevated levels unabated. Taking a ten-year perspective, there as been an almost threefold increase in reported hate-related incidents since 2002. A five-year view indicates a 24.5% increase in incidents since the 1,042 cases reported in 2007). The 2011 incidents were reported to the League in several ways: to its 24-hour AntiHate Hotline at 1-800 892 BNAI (2624); online to www.bnaibrith.ca or via its Facebook page; directly to Bnai Brith Canadas national and regional offices; or to partners in community and law enforcement agencies working collaboratively with the League. A total of 1,712 potentially antisemitic cases were reported to the League over the course 2011, setting off a process of investigation and verification. Out of this total, 415 cases proved to fall outside the applicable definition of antisemitism, or could not be substantiated. They are therefore not included in the final 2011 figures. When looking at the final figures, it is important to remember that they represent just a cross section of incidents that take place since many go unreported. In Statistics Canadas recently-released Incident-based Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, which studies hate crimes reported to police in 2010, it is estimated that only 34% of hate crimes were reported. Other law enforcement experts and researchers estimate that a much lower figure closer to 10% - would be more accurate.

Chart: Antisemitism in Canada: A Ten Year Picture

Violence/ Violence

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

5
L e a g u e f o r H u m a n R i g h t s o f B n a i B r i t h C a n a d a 2 0 11 A u d i t o f A n t i s e m i t i c I n c i d e n t s

In any case, since clearly many victims never come forward to report their victimization, the incidents reported here are just one part of the complete picture. Victims of harassment and vandalism in particular fear acts of reprisal if they come forward. Others fear that their victimization will be dismissed as insignificant or just teenagers acting out.
In 2011, 446 of the 1,297 incidents were reported to police or about one-third, consistent with reporting patterns of previous years. That is a relatively high number considering that most of the incidents in the harassment category do not qualify as a criminal offence under the Criminal Code.

The definitions of these categories (see Appendix I at www.bnaibrith.ca) have remained the same throughout the history of the Leagues Audit, to ensure consistency and allow for accurate year-by-year comparisons. Harassment cases decreased overall by 5.1% over 2010, although some regions did see increases in this category. While some might seek to dismiss such incidents as mere name calling, it is important to note that 102 of the cases in this category involved explicit threats of violence. Given that there were only 80 such cases recorded in 2010, the threatening flavour of incidents of harassment has intensified. Cases of vandalism increased by 14.2% overall in 2011, reversing a decrease documented in 2010 when an 8.9% drop in vandalism was recorded. Regions such as Alberta saw a significant drop in vandalism, including Calgary where incidents in 2010 led to criminal charges. On the other hand, Quebec - and Montreal in particular - saw a marked increase in this category, with attacks against synagogues and a daycare ushering in the year. At the very end of the year, desecration of one of the countrys oldest cemeteries in Victoria, BC, reflected the significant upswing in this region. At least three cases involved arson. Reported incidents of violence dropped from 24 cases in 2010 to 19 in 2011, a 20.8% decrease. However, there were regional differences. Three cases of violence were recorded in Manitoba in 2011, whereas there were no such cases in 2010 and only two in 2009. One of these cases involved the use of a lighter in an attack against a female high school student. Firearms were used to threaten victims in two cases.

2. CLASSIFICATION BY TYPE OF INCIDENTS

The 1,297 incidents reported across Canada in 2011 can be classified by category as follows: 916 cases of harassment (70.7%), 362 incidents of vandalism (27.9%) and 19 cases of violence (1.5%). Chart: Antisemitic Incidents in Canada by Incidents Category Graph: Antisemitic by Category

6
L e a g u e f o r H u m a n R i g h t s o f B n a i B r i t h C a n a d a 2 0 11 A u d i t o f A n t i s e m i t i c I n c i d e n t s

i. Community and Private Property

There were 47 incidents targeting synagogues in 2011, representing 3.6% of the total number of reported cases. This reflects a 47% increase when compared to the 32 cases reported in 2010, and comes despite matching grants made available under the Federal Governments Security Infrastructure Program. Synagogues were targeted right across the country, including Vancouver (BC), Calgary (AB), Edmonton (AB), Toronto (ON), Thornhill (ON), Windsor (ON), Ottawa (ON), Montreal (QC), Fredericton (NB) and St. Johns (NL). These cases involved acts of vandalism, including graffiti and broken windows, as well as cases of harassment. In three cases, individuals were targeted with threats or assault walking to or from synagogue services. In addition, cemeteries were vandalized in Victoria (BC), Toronto (ON) and Ottawa (ON). Other community sites were targeted. In 2011, there were 46 incidents of vandalism against community centres, representing 3.4% of the total cases. This represents a jump of 77% when compared to the 26 such cases in 2010. In 55% of the cases reported in 2011, individuals were targeted. The home was one focus for such attacks. There were incidents of vandalism against 146 private residences compared to 139 private homes in 2010. These cases included harassment by phone, by internet and by mail, as well as the desecration of mezuzahs. Homes and cars parked outside Jewish homes were damaged and covered with swastikas and other ugly messages of hatred.

sors, including refusal to provide reasonable accommodation for days of religious observance. In one case, ongoing harassment led to a government employees decision to resign, despite a judgment holding the employer responsible for a lack of action. In this context, it is interesting to note that a Federal Government survey of employees released in 2011 documents ongoing experiences of harassment and a continued level of dissatisfaction with measures undertaken by supervisors to counter such conduct.

iii. Educational Settings

There were 89 incidents involving schools during 2011, a small increase from the 84 incidents in 2010. The majority of cases took place in public schools, but six targeted Jewish day schools. Incidents included numerous cases of harassment, with social media being used to target students as well as teachers. As well, antisemitic graffiti such as swastikas appeared on schools across Canada. Throwing objects at Jewish students and in one case lighting a Jewish girls hair on fire were included in the incidents of violence. There were 113 reported cases of antisemitism on university campuses, up significantly from the 86 cases reported in 2010. The Canadian Parliamentary Coalition to Combat Antisemitism Report released in July 2011 noted this rise in antisemitic activity on campus. As Israel Apartheid Week (IAW) spreads to other campuses, so too have the hate-related incidents that often go in tandem with, or follow, these events.

ii. Workplace
There were 42 cases directly related to the victims workplace, an increase from the 29 reported in 2010. These cases involved in most cases harassment by colleagues and supervi7

iv. Web-Based Hate

The League received 528 reports of web-based hate activity with a Canadian connection, whether in terms of content, perpetrators and/ or victims, down from the 568 reported in

L e a g u e f o r H u m a n R i g h t s o f B n a i B r i t h C a n a d a 2 0 11 A u d i t o f A n t i s e m i t i c I n c i d e n t s

2010, but an increase from the 435 cases reported in 2009 and the 405 incidents in 2008. There is clearly a strong ongoing trend that sees the use of every new piece of web and mobile technology to spread hate, though such incidents are now becoming so commonplace that the reporting of cases is not expected to keep pace with the reality online. As in 2010, Jews were blamed for natural disasters, unpopular government policies and the 9/11 attacks, and allegations of government and media control, and organ trafficking continued to be propagated on social networking sites, blogs and websites.

the origin of the perpetrator was impossible to identify. In 2011, there were 117 cases where the perpetrator self-identified. The largest single category was the 14 cases where the perpetrator was of Arab origin. Other cases where ethnic origin was self-identified included one Aboriginal, one Asian, four Black, one Chinese, six French, two German, one Italian, one Japanese, one Polish, and four Ukrainian perpetrators. In 94 of the incidents reported there was a religious connotation. Sixteen of these cases were related to the Islamic faith, by far the largest faith group self-identifying where religion was in any way connected to the incident.

v. Neo-Nazi/White Supremacist Activity

In 2011, the League received 149 reports of activity by white supremacist groups. Activities such as public marches were reported in Calgary (AB) and Edmonton (AB), but postings on social forums frequented by white supremacists indicate activity across the country. In Edmonton (AB), individuals expressing such views were charged with acts of violence against perceived immigrant groups. Recruitment attempts targeting high school students were noted in Vancouver (BC) and Victoria (BC) and a number of other provinces. The swastika continues to be a preferred symbol of hate used by perpetrators seeking to intimidate the Jewish community. Swastikas were the symbol of choice in 213 of the 362 cases of vandalism reported (57%).

vii. Patterns of Occurrence

Of the 1,297 reported cases in 2011, the largest number of incidents in any month occurred in March, when the so-called Israel Apartheid Week took place on university campuses across the country. Anti-Israel rhetoric spilled over into antisemitic expressions, including harassment, vandalism and assault on campus and elsewhere during this period. The continued level of activity in the subsequent months is likely related to an ongoing focus on the Middle East as a result of activity around the Gaza flotilla and Canadian-based involvement in this regard. In 201 of the 1,297 cases reported, there was a direct link between antiIsrael and antisemitic activity, but the latter, while spurred on by anti-Zionism, was distinctly in and of itself antisemitic in nature. Overall, antisemitic events were spread throughout the year, reiterating the findings of the 2011 Report on Global Antisemitism released by the Kantor Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry. This report suggests that the absence of any one trigger in the form of a major confrontation between Israelis and Palestinians explains the absence
8

vi. Perpetrators
The ethnic origin of perpetrators is documented by the League only where relevant information is available. It is not undertaken on the basis of reports of the perceived ethnic background of the perpetrator alone, unless there is corroborating evidence to support such an assumption. In most of the reported cases,

L e a g u e f o r H u m a n R i g h t s o f B n a i B r i t h C a n a d a 2 0 11 A u d i t o f A n t i s e m i t i c I n c i d e n t s

of significant spikes in antisemitic incidents in any one month. In past years, open conflict in the Middle East has spawned outright expressions of antisemitism in countries across the globe, including Canada.
[*Note: The Kantor Report incorporates the Leagues findings but does not use the identical incident definitions, so the Audit should be consulted for the specific and definitive Canadian data re. breakdown of incidents by category.]

ment remained constant at 59 cases, while no incidents of violence were reported. As has consistently been the case in previous years, the majority of cases, 54.6% of the total number of incidents in 2011, took place in Ontario. The 708 cases across Ontario reflect a small decrease of 3.7% from the previous year. Violence remained constant with a reported eight cases, but vandalism incidents increased in the region by 8%. In the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), where a number of synagogues were vandalized, there was a 23.2% increase in this category, while in the other areas of the province there was a decrease in this type of incident. Although the number of harassment incidents across the province decreased, Ottawa showed a significant increase of 17%, with many reports of abuse aimed at government officials, politicians and staff. In Quebec, there was a marked spike in incidents of vandalism, with synagogues and schools as the targets. Province-wide, cases of harassment reported to the League dropped by 3.8%, though in Montreal itself, levels of harassment were more or less sustained, with a minimal increase of just under 1%.

viii. The Picture from the Regions

Antisemitic incidents took place throughout the year in all regions of Canada, with the exception of the Northern Region. Harassment was the largest of the three categories in the majority of these regions, with vandalism the next largest category. Only in Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba, were acts of violence reported. The changes from 2010 to 2011 varied greatly from region to region, though most areas showed an increase in vandalism, as reflected in the national average. The Atlantic region registered a marked increase in vandalism (31.3%), with two synagogues defaced in the latter part of the year, while reports of harassment dropped (by 33.3%). In Manitoba, however, vandalism decreased by 27.6%, while harassment showed a pronounced increase of 74.2%. In addition, there were three cases of violence reported in Manitoba, whereas there were no such cases in 2010.

ix. Global Comparisons

In a comparative context, the League for Human Rights 2011 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents echoes the tenor of global annual reports on antisemitism. Reported antisemitic incidents in the western world remained at high levels in 2011, slightly decreasing in some countries, while dramatically increasing in others. But, in total, what these reports have in common is a continuing, steady, global increase in antisemitism in the past decade.

Moving to other areas, vandalism incidents in Saskatchewan more than doubled, while harassment cases decreased by 31.6%. In Alberta, where an antisemitic crime spree rocked the city in 2010, vandalism dropped by 43.8%, as did cases of harassment, albeit by a smaller percentage (4%). In British Columbia, vandalism increased sharply from 15 to 27 cases, The UKs Community Security Trust (CST) i n c l u d i n g c e m e t e r y d e s e c r a t i o n a n d reported a 9% decrease in antisemitic inciantisemitic graffiti on a public school. Harass- dents from 645 in 2001 to 586 in 2011. In
9
L e a g u e f o r H u m a n R i g h t s o f B n a i B r i t h C a n a d a 2 0 11 A u d i t o f A n t i s e m i t i c I n c i d e n t s

France, the French Service for the Protection of the Jewish Community (SPCJ) reported a larger decrease - 16.5% - from 466 cases in 2010 to 389 in 2011. However, though incident levels fell in some countries, in other places antisemitism increased to historic levels. The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) has a reporting year that concludes annually in September. In the 12-month period ending in September 2011, antisemitic incidents in Australia increased by 31% to 517. In Western Switzerland alone there was a marked increase in such incidents, with a 28% rise according to that countrys community umbrella Inter-Community Co-ordination Against AntiSemitism and Defamation (CICAD), from 104 cases to 130. We should note that none of these individual country figures comes close to the 1,297 incidents reported in Canada. Figures alone, while giving us important indicators of current trends, do not tell the whole story. We see this in the ADLs recent Attitudes Toward Jews in Ten European Countries which surveyed anti-Jewish attitudes in ten European countries, and found disturbingly high levels of antisemitic sentiment. Age-old too much power, and dual loyalty canards themes that also surface in numerous harassment incidents in the Leagues Audit are very much alive in Europe. Interestingly, while levels of reported incidents are down in France and the UK for example, as noted above, the ADL survey found that in terms of attitudes, levels of antisemitism have in fact increased. Since pervasive antisemitism from other countries in the world reaches Canada through a cyberspace that has no borders, the importation of hate to this country is a trend to watch closely.

3. EXAMPLES OF INCIDENTS
JANUARY
Toronto, ON - A Jew is sent a letter threatening to cut you up. Montreal, QC - Rocks are thrown through windows of four synagogues and one Jewish day school. Markham, ON - A swastika is painted outside a seniors residence where many Holocaust survivors reside. Kingston, ON - An elementary school student harasses another child, telling him he is a Nazi and calling him a Jew boy. Vancouver, BC - Students find antisemitic graffiti near their school. Toronto, ON - A group of teens swarm a man walking home from synagogue, throw pennies at him and call him a dirty Jew. Edmonton, AB - The Mayor of Edmonton is labeled a f*****g Jew. Sudbury, ON - Antisemitic graffiti is scrawled on campus.

FEBRUARY
Vaughan, ON - A swastika is carved outside a synagogue. Mississauga, ON - Jews are threatened with another Holocaust during a rally. Calgary, AB - Posters promoting a march by a white supremacist group that advocates antisemitism are distributed in an area where many Jews live.

10
L e a g u e f o r H u m a n R i g h t s o f B n a i B r i t h C a n a d a 2 0 11 A u d i t o f A n t i s e m i t i c I n c i d e n t s

Ottawa, ON - Antisemitic slurs are voiced pub- are vandalized with swastikas and antisemitic licly on campus during a protest over union slurs. access to pension rights. Ottawa, ON - A Jewish student seeking a posiMontreal, QC - A mezuzah on the apartment tion in student government is subjected to door of a Jewish family is defaced. antisemitic harassment. St. Agathe, QC - A group of teens throw pennies at a family on their way to synagogue, callOshawa, ON - A Jewish child in a public school ing them cheap bastards. is taunted and harassed. Winnipeg, MB - A public campaign to derail Halifax, NS - Online complainants allege that inclusion of a Holocaust gallery in the new Cathe Rothschilds [a well-known Jewish philan- nadian Human Rights Museum depicts Jews thropic family] were responsible for the 9/11 as pigs. atrocities. St. Thomas, ON - A Jewish participant in a Victoria, BC - Antisemitic slurs are spray hockey league is harassed with antisemitic painted on stadium walls. slurs.

MARCH

Toronto, ON - A home owner turns to a Jewish MAY neighbour during a petty dispute with the threat: F*****g Jew, Im going to get a gun Montreal, QC - Kosher products are defaced and kill you and your kids. with antisemitic symbols at a local grocery store. Montreal, QC - Contributors to a blog complain about the alleged behaviour of orthodox Cape Spears, NF - A public monument is deJews. faced with f**k Jews and swastikas. Richmond, BC - Antisemitic slurs are spray Montreal, QC - A beer bottle is thrown through painted on stadium walls. the windows of a synagogue. Georgina, ON - Red swastikas are painted onto Winnipeg, MB - A homecare worker taunts the a Jewish behaviour of orthodox Jews. elderly Jewish woman she looks after telling her, You Jews killed Jesus. Saskatoon, SK - A Patriot Movement blog refers to taxes as a plot by the Rothschild family JUNE to control the cosmos. Ottawa, ON - A government employee faces ongoing antisemitic harassment, including APRIL death threats, leading to her resignation. Montreal, QC - In a parking lot of a condominium building with many Jewish residents, cars Richmond Hill, ON - An animal clinic owned by a Jews is defaced with antisemitic slur Kike.
11
L e a g u e f o r H u m a n R i g h t s o f B n a i B r i t h C a n a d a 2 0 11 A u d i t o f A n t i s e m i t i c I n c i d e n t s

Montreal, QC - A group of teens attack and beat a visibly Jewish man waling in the street with his child.

AUGUST

Toronto, ON - Antisemitic remarks are broadOttawa, ON - A government employee uses a cast at an anti-Israel rally outside the provinoffice server during working hours to make cial legislature. antisemitic accusations, alleging Jews carried Lethbridge, ON - Chassidic rabbis are harassed out to the 9/11 attacks. as they attempt to celebrate a bar mitzvah in a Montreal, QC - A beer bottle is thrown through public area. the windows of a synagogue. Napanee, ON - Vandals deface a public park Toronto, ON - A Jewish community group and with the graffiti Gas the Jews and swastikas. a synagogue get harassing calls calling them Montreal, QC - Objects are thrown from a car Christ killers. at a group of visibly Jewish pedestrians. Calgary, AB - A Jewish high school student is taunted with antisemitic slurs and death Dundas, ON - A Jewish residence is defaced with Hitler and swastikas. threats. Mississauga, ON - The graffiti Kill the Jews is Toronto, ON - A mezuzah is ripped off and stomped on, shortly after a Jewish family move found at Mississaugas City Hall. into a new condominium. Ottawa, ON - A Jewish cemetery is desecrated, SEPTEMBER with tombstones overturned and defaced. Vaughan, ON - A predominantly Jewish law firm receives antisemitic harassing calls, sayMontreal, QC - A car parked outside a Jewish ing the lawyers should burn in an oven like Auschwitz. home is defaced with slur Jew ride.

JULY

Windsor, ON - A synagogue is defaced with Montreal, QC - Antisemitic graffiti is spray painted in a laneway leading to a Jewishswastikas and other antisemitic messaging. owned farm. Montreal, QC - A beer bottle is thrown through Edmonton, AB - A jewish day school is defaced the windows of a synagogue. with the ugly slur F**k the Jews. Ottawa, ON - A Youtube link to a video alleging Jews were responsible for 9/11 is sent to vari- Winnipeg, MB - An individual assumes a nonJew wearing a Star of David-style necklace is ous MP offices. Jewish, and verbally harasses her. Toronto, ON - An online comment to a news story about the flotilla accuses Jews of organ Montreal, QC - A boy wearing a kippah is swarmed by a group of teens and assaulted. trafficking.
12
L e a g u e f o r H u m a n R i g h t s o f B n a i B r i t h C a n a d a 2 0 11 A u d i t o f A n t i s e m i t i c I n c i d e n t s

Edmonton, AB - A jewish day school is defaced with the ugly slur F**k the Jews.

DECEMBER

Calgary, AB - The Jewish community centre is Winnipeg, MB - An individual assumes a non- vandalized with antisemitic graffiti. Jew wearing a Star of David-style necklace is Winnipeg, MB - Comments at a murder trial Jewish, and verbally harasses her. turn into an antisemitic tirade against a Jewish OCTOBER lawyer. Ottawa, ON - A Palestinian envoy to Canada Victoria, BC - Tombstones are overturned and tweets a link to a video calling for Death to the defaced with swastikas at the countrys oldest Jews. Jewish cemetery. Fredericton, NB - A synagogue is defaced with Halifax, NS - A teenage webmaster in Halifax swastikas. posts antisemitic conspiracy allegations. Hampstead, QC - Television coverage of a de- Victoria, BC - Tombstones are overturned and bate over noise bylaws prompts a Montreal defaced with swastikas at the countrys oldest media personalitys Facebook friend to suggest Jewish cemetery. the Olympic stadium should be turned into a concentration camp where Chassidim can be imprisoned. St. Johns, NF - Vandals paint F**k the Jews at the synagogue entrance.

C. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Conclusion

NOVEMBER
Winnipeg, MB - A Jewish high school student is verbally harassed with antisemitic slurs and her hair is set on fire. Windsor, ON - A synagogue is defaced with antisemitic graffiti and blue and red swastikas. Montreal, QC - A video posted of a Montrealbased man calling for Muslims to search out synagogues to deliver messages of hate. Victoria, BC - Following ongoing harassment, a Jewish students campus residence is defaced with swastikas.

The sustained levels of antisemitism documented in this report point to the need for ongoing efforts to combat hate in this country. The commitment to counter such hate-based activity is reflected in the Ottawa Protocol of the most recent conference of the Interparliamentary Coalition for Combating Antisemitism, which was held in Canada in 2012. This country was the first to sign on to the Protocol in 2011, indicating a strong commitment to fighting antisemitism in all its manifestations. The Protocol also reflected the findings and recommendations of the Canadian Parliamentary Coalition to Combat Antisemitism (CPCCA) in its 2011 report. As stated by CPCCA co-chair Mario Silva, We are calling on the Government of Canada to take our recommendations under serious consideration to combat the wave of antisemitism we

13
L e a g u e f o r H u m a n R i g h t s o f B n a i B r i t h C a n a d a 2 0 11 A u d i t o f A n t i s e m i t i c I n c i d e n t s

are witnessing in our nation. Canada is founded on a set of shared values and antisemitism is an affront to all we stand for in this country. This is surely a rallying cry that should not be ignored.

Such resolve must be built upon and the ten recommendations that follow offer the oppor4. Hate groups, and the symbols they use to tunity for the type of appropriate action that is advance their racist agenda, should be banned necessary. in accordance with Canadas international obligations, specifically the International Con2. Recommendations vention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which bans hate 1. Every sector of the community needs to propaganda and hate groups. maintain a zero tolerance for hate, from educators at elementary and high schools, and cam- 5. While consent by the provincial Attorneys pus administrators, to human rights commis- General to hate crime prosecutions needs to sions, police and government. Public education stand as a safeguard to potential abuses, it is the key to the success of such an approach. should not be used as a way of nullifying the This is reinforced by the Interparliamentary law itself. Guidelines - and a requirement to Committees finding that campuses across provide reasons where consent to proceed Canada have been at the centre of antisemitic is refused - should be mandated across activity, a finding that is echoed in this Audit. jurisdictions. As Professor Richard Moon 2. Resources must be earmarked for training for both front-line officers and Crowns, in order to ensure focused intelligence gathering and investigative proficiency. The training must focus on Canadian realities and rely on Canadian expertise, which is available through the good offices of community-based organizations such as the League that actually work with victims.

Ottawa Protocol on Combating Antisemitism includes a commitment to counter the double entendre of denying the Holocaust accusing the Jews of fabricating the Holocaust as a hoax and the nazification of the Jew and the Jewish people.

pointed out in his Report Concerning s. 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Regulation of Hate Speech on the Internet, some provincial Attorneys General have withheld consent to prosecution not because the case was weak, but because he/she did not regard hate speech as a significant problem, or was concerned that the hate monger might use the prosecution to publicize his or her views. It must be made clear that by repealing Section 13 of the Act, the Canadian Gov3. With legislation likely to be passed removernment has not withdrawn its commitment ing the jurisdiction of the Canadian Human to protect all Canadians from hate speech. Rights Commission to deal with hate on the internet, it is crucial that the Criminal Code 6. Consideration should be given to removing provisions to fight hate be strengthened at the the defense of truth from Section 319(3) of the same time. Since Holocaust denial is one of the Criminal Code. No other country of a common most common vehicles of contemporary antislaw tradition has such a provision in its hate emitism on the web, the Criminal Code should speech law. As well, the defense of religious be amended to include Holocaust denial as a belief should be clarified or repealed. specified hate crime, as is already the case in a number of European countries. Indeed, The
14
L e a g u e f o r H u m a n R i g h t s o f B n a i B r i t h C a n a d a 2 0 11 A u d i t o f A n t i s e m i t i c I n c i d e n t s

7. Consideration should be given to adding a combination of substantive offences and penalty enhancement to the Criminal Code. When hate crimes are enacted as substantive offences, the hate crimes have more symbolic weight, thus setting the right tone to the investigation, and data is subsequently easier to collect. An amendment to substantive offences has been suggested by Stephen Camp, from the Edmonton Police Service, Alberta, a proposal the League supported. While penalty enhancement might be easier to implement, in such cases the police may not investigate the hate aspects and cannot collect required evidence that could lead to an aggravated sentence.

crime provisions. 10. Given the ongoing and increasing problem of bullying including its more modern variant of cyberbullying - an educational task force should be set up to assess whether current pedagogical techniques have kept pace when it comes to monitoring and countering hate in the classroom and the school yard.

We conclude this years Audit by reiterating the words of the Ottawa Protocol We renew our call for national governments, parliaments, international institutions, political and civic leaders, NGOs, and civil society to affirm democratic and human values, build societies 8. The victim of a hate crime and his/her right based on respect and citizenship and combat to be heard must also be considered through- any manifestations of antisemitism and all out the process. Consideration should be given forms of discrimination. to making the right of the victim to make submissions as to penalty mandatory. If an organization filed the initial complaint, that organization should be able to submit its opinion as amicus curiae.

9. A communitys educational facilities should be recognized as protected facilities under hate

15
L e a g u e f o r H u m a n R i g h t s o f B n a i B r i t h C a n a d a 2 0 11 A u d i t o f A n t i s e m i t i c I n c i d e n t s

Bnai Brith Canada National Office 15 Hove Street Toronto, ON M3H 4Y8 Tel.: 416-633-6224 Fax: 416-630-2159 E-mail: bnb@bnaibrith.ca Website: www.bnaibrith.ca

National Capital Region The Fuller Building 212-75 Albert Street Ottawa, ON K1P 5E7 Tel.: 613-598-0060 Fax: 613-598-0059 E-mail: parliamenthill@bnaibrith.ca Quebec Region 7155 Cote St. Luc Road, Suite 202 Montreal, QC H4V 1J2 Tel.: 514-733-5377 Fax: 514-342-9632 E-mail: quebecregion@bnaibrith.ca Midwest Region 123 Doncaster Street, Suite C403 Winnipeg, Manitoba R3N 2B2 Tel.: 204-487-9623 Fax: 204-487-9648 E-Mail: wbb@bnaibrith.ca

British Columbia 422 Richards St. - Suite 300 Vancouver, BC V6B 2Z4 Tel.: 604-629-6691 Fax: 1-888-684-2213 E-mail: britishcolumbia@bnaibrith.ca

Western Region P.O 67306 Hawkstone R.P.O. Edmonton, Alberta T6M 0J5 Tel.: 780-483-6939 Fax: 780-489-8087 E-mail: bnaibrith.westcan@shaw.ca

1607-90 Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2V 4V7 Tel.: 403-262-9255 E-mail: calgary@bnaibrith.ca

1234 Main Street, Anytown,

2012 League for Human Rights 15 Hove Street, Toronto, Ontario M3H 4Y8 Tel: 416-633-6224 Fax: 416-630-2159 Website: http://www.bnaibrith.ca State 54321 ne: 123.456.7890 fax: 123.456.7891 telepho E-mail: league@bnaibrith.ca

w w w. a p p l e . c o m / i w o r k 18