An odd, very strange Canadian nationalism that includes Israel

 

Why don’t nationalists push back on certain foreign smears against Canada? Why doesn’t the “Canada First” crowd complain when private schools have kids sing a foreign anthem? Why don’t pushers of military readiness denounce Canadians who join a foreign army? Why does our government give tax deductions for “charities” that break Canadian law and/or our foreign policy? Why isn’t a lobby group named “Centre for Israel” seen as “importing” a foreign conflict?

“A Pogrom Is Brewing in Canada”, explained The Free Press, a US publication whose About page declares its “Belief in the American Project”. While written by a Canadian, the commentary’s outrageous headline is based on an interview with a former Israeli Knesset member, Einat Wilf. Instead of any pushback on the smear, those claiming to be “Canada First” supporters (Lorrie Goldstein) and worried about “foreign interference” (Robert Fife) promoted the anti-Canadian hit piece.

The Free Press article aligns with a broader Israeli smear against Canada. Last week that country’s Diaspora Affairs Ministry crowned Canada the “champion of antisemitism” in a report accusing world leaders of inciting anti-Jewishness by criticizing Israel’s holocaust in Gaza. The ministry’s release launching a 150-page report noted, “In 2024, Canada earned the dubious distinction as ‘champion of antisemitism.”

Led by former Israeli military intelligence officers and officials of the government-backed Voices of Israel, CyberWell released a similar smear regarding the recent federal election. Their “2025 Canadian Election Rhetoric Tainted by Antisemitism” offers a hodgepodge of legitimately anti-Jewish (though largely unidentified) and obviously absurd claims. One of the examples they cite is my response to a Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs post noting “Harassment isn’t activism, it is a crime. At a time when Canadians from across the country are deeply engaged in the election, we must condemn efforts by some individuals, including Yves Engler who is already facing harassment charges, to undermine our democracy.” Included in CyberWell’s “evidence” of antisemitism during the election was my response stating, “The genocidal Jewish supremacists at CIJA want me to stop challenging politicians for supporting Israel’s holocaust in Gaza. I guess I’ll stop.”

During the election campaign Benjamin Netanyahu openly threw his weight behind Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre. Subsequently, Israel’s prime minister appeared disappointed the “Canada first” leader lost. According to Zionist fanatic Vivian Bercovici, “As I write this, three days after his victory, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu has yet to issue even a perfunctory congratulation [to Mark Carney]. That is extraordinary.” When I searched a few days later I found nothing on Netanyahu’s X account or online.  (more...)

An odd, very strange Canadian nationalism that includes Israel