NDP Leader Avi Lewis clarified that he does not blame all Jews for Israel’s actions in Gaza, following criticism from some Liberal MPs over his recent social media post. Lewis took to the platform X on Sunday to express his reflections on geopolitics during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
In his post, Lewis mentioned a sense of collective responsibility among Jewish people and expressed regret over not doing more to prevent what he described as an ongoing genocide committed in their name, without directly referencing the conflict in Gaza that began in October 2023.
Since the conflict’s onset, tens of thousands of Palestinians have lost their lives in Israeli airstrikes targeting civilian areas and due to Israeli policies that resulted in a famine declaration. Liberal MPs Anthony Housefather and Ben Carr criticized Lewis’s comments, asserting that holding all Jews accountable for Israel’s actions is unjust.
Responding to queries about the potential antisemitic nature of the post, Carr labeled it as “naive” and deemed it irresponsible for a leader to make such statements. Housefather also condemned Lewis’s post, describing it as “despicable.”
The official definition of antisemitism by the federal government warns against attributing collective responsibility to Jews for Israel’s actions, citing its potential to fuel anti-Jewish sentiments. Advocates have linked this notion to various attacks on Jewish institutions, including a recent shooting outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario.
Lewis condemned the synagogue attack, expressing his horror at the incident. He refuted claims that his remarks about Israel were partisan, emphasizing that holding all Jews responsible for Israeli actions is antisemitic. He stressed that his comments stemmed from a place of deep sadness and reflected a sentiment shared by many Jewish individuals who feel a sense of collective responsibility.
Former Canadian ambassador to Israel, Jon Allen, and others have criticized major Jewish groups in Canada for not denouncing Israeli actions against Palestinians, suggesting that their silence implies support for such actions. Allen highlighted the importance of speaking out against Israeli government policies to avoid giving the impression of blanket support for all actions taken by Israel.
Overall, Lewis’s post and subsequent responses have sparked debate surrounding the complexities of discussing Israel’s actions, antisemitism, and the responsibilities of Jewish individuals and communities in Canada.
