The House of Commons Justice Committee recently completed hearings on antisemitism, with particular emphasis on campus antisemitism. (The Committee will also be conducting hearings on Islamophobia)

I was invited to testify on day 3 of the hearings. All the testimony and all the filed submissions (once they are translated into both official languages) will be available on the Committee’s website. 

I outlined for the Committee a number of reasons why overt antisemitism is so pervasive and various recommendations for change. I indicated that one of those reasons is the absence of a culture of respectful dialogue on contentious issues in too many classrooms — where professors indoctrinate and demonize rather than encourage active listening and the airing of opposing perspectives.

In the context of antisemitism, to be clear, it is not antisemitic to criticize Israeli policies, practices, and actions in a way similar to how other countries are criticized. This is different than demonizing Zionism and all Zionists without distinction, and de-legitimizing the very existence of the State of Israel. You needn’t agree with me or other signatories on our views, but as you know, this initiative is not designed to advance a particular position but instead to promote respectful dialogue, without intimidation, incitement to violence or the celebration of barbarity. 

I recommended to the Committee that all governments and educational institutions, amongst others, should promote respectful dialogue initiatives, governments and the private sector should make grants and provide funding that incentivize or are conditional on the creation of such dialogues, all educational institutions should take steps to establish a culture of dialogue and hold, with government and private sector support, conferences on the rule of law and respectful dialogue.

A number of deputants asked the Committee to endorse respectful dialogues and our national initiative in particular. Professor Schnoor at York University filed a brief on a student initiative of Muslim and Jewish students at York entitled, Bridging the Gap. He and the students are to be commended for the initiative and for introducing it to other schools. Their program is a model to emulate. The University of Ottawa law students who started a dialogue that our national initiative is based on, also submitted a brief. 

A number of dialogues involving students and educators (not necessarily in the law community) are taking place across the country. 

So how can you help? First, I have not been seeking new signatories for a while as several of us began work on operationalizing this initiative. To reflect the growth of dialogues — even at a time when tensions are extremely high and some environments are too toxic for an immediate dialogue —- we are opening this initiative up to everyone, not merely members of the law community. Please encourage those you know to sign up. 

Second, if you wish to participate in a respectful dialogue, I will be posting an email address shortly for you to contact us. Please indicate what schools or schools you are or have been associated with and your current position or any relevant affiliations that might assist us.

Third, please encourage schools you are associated with to promote respectful dialogue and contact us if they need assistance or need to hear from those currently involved in such dialogues. 

Thank you for your continuing support. 

Mark