I am deeply troubled by the rise of anti-Zionist slogans and rhetoric, such as the chant "From the River to the Sea," which I believe constitutes hate speech against Israeli nationals. Recently, there has been an alarming increase in threats of violence and actual violence against my community, making it imperative to address this issue head-on.

I urge the Attorney General of Ontario and relevant prosecutors to investigate these slogans under Section 319(2) of the Criminal Code of Canada. According to R. v. Keegstra, such rhetoric may incite hatred against Israelis, an identifiable group by nationality, thus warranting prosecution under existing legal frameworks.

Israel is home to approximately 9.6 million citizens, and its Zionist foundation provides essential protection and shared citizenship, shielding the diverse populace, including LGBTQ+ individuals and people of colour, from regional persecution. Statistics show that about 55% of Israelis are people of colour, further highlighting the diversity within the Israeli community.

Internationally, several precedents affirm that anti-Zionist actions can be seen as discriminatory. By prosecuting anti-Zionist rhetoric as hate speech, Canada would not only be in compliance with its own laws but also align with global standards aimed at combating hate and protecting minority groups. 

Letter to the Attorney General:

Subject: Request for Legal Review: Anti-Zionist Rhetoric Promoting Hatred Against Israeli Nationals under Criminal Code Section 319(2)

Dear Attorney General / Crown Prosecutor, (Toronto Police, Hate Crimes Unit, A Jewish Advocacy Group or two, Ezra Levant, an Lgbtq+ advocacy group, etc)

I respectfully urge your Office to investigate whether widespread anti-Zionist rhetoric—including slogans such as “From the River to the Sea”—constitutes the willful promotion of hatred under section 319(2) of the Criminal Code, targeting Israelis as an identifiable group defined by nationality (see R. v. Keegstra, 3 S.C.R. 697).Israel’s national identity protects approximately 9.6 million citizens of diverse backgrounds through shared citizenship, transcending ethnicity, religion, and orientation.

Israeli nationals include:

Jews (74%): Mizrahi (45–50%), Ashkenazi (32–45%), Sephardic (10–15%)
Arabs (21%), Druze (2%)
Black Ethiopians/Africans (~2%), Circassians (0.03%)
Christians (Armenians, Assyrians, Arameans ~0.2–0.3%)
Bahá’í and Ahmadi (~0.1%), Kurds/Asians/others (~0.5%)
LGBTQ+ individuals (~8–11%, ~770,000–1,000,000 people), for whom Israel serves as a rare regional safe haven

These communities coexist under a democratic framework that ensures equality and personal security—protections that would be erased by calls to abolish the Israeli state.  By contrast, organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the IRGC—each designated as a terrorist entity—openly declare genocidal intent against Israelis and Jews, confirming that Israel’s national defence is not abstract ideology but a practical safeguard for millions of vulnerable civilians, including LGBTQ+ and minority groups.  In Canada, particularly in the GTA, mass protests have featured chants advocating the destruction of Israel’s statehood.  Several of these events have escalated into physical clashes and vandalism of Jewish and Israeli institutions, demonstrating that such rhetoric fosters real-world hostility and fear within identifiable communities.  This satisfies the wilful element of promoting hatred under section 319(2).

Comparable statutes abroad reinforce Canada’s responsibility to act:

United Kingdom: Public Order Act 1986 – criminalizes incitement of hatred based on nationality or ethnicity
France: Penal Code Article 24 – prohibits provocation to national hatred or violence
Germany: §130 – bans incitement against national groups
Australia: Racial Discrimination Act 1975 – prohibits vilification based on nationality

Consistent application of Canadian law would affirm that hate propaganda targeting Israeli nationality—like that directed at any protected group—is contrary to both the Charter and the public interest in preventing intercommunal violence.Thank you for considering this matter of growing national concern.

Join me in urging the Ontario Attorney General and prosecutors to act decisively against hate speech masked as political rhetoric, prioritizing the safety and dignity of Israeli nationals in Canada. Your signature can make a difference in fostering an inclusive environment free from hate and violence.