On Yom Kippur, ALCCA's Chair Mark Sandler spoke at Temple Sinai with Rabbi Michael Dolgin about the evolving challenge of combating antisemitism. He highlighted how antisemitism has shifted from extremist fringes in the past to becoming more normalized, particularly on campuses and in some progressive circles.
Sandler emphasized the need for systemic action, including better training for law enforcement that emphasizes how to utilize a wide range of existing legal tools, and building stronger alliances with non-Jewish communities, through education and partnerships with allies.
The discussion concluded with a call to action for community members to subscribe to ALCCA's newsletter and participate in impactful campaigns identified in each newsletter.
Watch the video below or read the summary of the discussion:
Discussion Summary
The Normalization of Antisemitism
Sandler emphasized that the current environment of antisemitism is significantly different from previous decades. In the 1980s and 1990s, groups like neo-Nazis/ white supremacists were not seen as credible by mainstream society, making it easier to combat their antisemitic activities.
However, today, antisemitism has been normalized, particularly in academic and progressive left circles, where it is often disguised as anti-Zionism. Sandler explained that the demonization of Zionism has provided a veneer of legitimacy to antisemitic ideas, making it more difficult to challenge. Foreign funding, especially in universities, has also contributed to the proliferation of post-colonial theories that portray Jews as white and privileged, further complicating the fight against antisemitism on campuses and in society at large.
Legal Tools to Combat Hate Crimes
Despite the rise in antisemitism, Sandler stressed that police have the necessary legal tools to address hate crimes, including laws around hate speech, intimidation, and mischief. However, he pointed out that there is, in some jurisdictions, a lack of political will to enforce these laws consistently.
He explained that crimes such as blocking roads during protests or wearing disguises during unlawful assemblies are already covered by Canadian law, but police and city officials often fail to apply these laws. Sandler advocated for better police and prosecutor training on how to respond to antisemitic rhetoric and actions at protests through detailed education on existing legal tools, but case scenario training to apply lessons to real-life situations. He commended the work also done by Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center to educate the authorities on the history and modern manifestations of antisemitism.
Challenges in Political Leadership
Sandler discussed the broader political challenges in addressing antisemitism, particularly the reluctance of political leaders to take strong action. He noted that provincial and federal political figures may engage in a "numbers game" in which they weigh the influence of different voting blocs (such as Jewish versus Muslim voters) when making decisions. He stressed that this approach only exacerbates the problem, as it shifts the focus from law enforcement and public safety to political considerations.
Our position as a community must be, through our work and that of non-Jewish allies, to stress with government that we are dealing with lawlessness issues of general concern, not just antisemitism. Sandler called for municipal leaders, including mayors and city councils, to implement zero-tolerance policies for hatred and to ensure that such policies are fully operationalized and enforced. He pointed out that although politicians cannot direct police to make arrests, they can create a supportive environment for law enforcement to act decisively against hate.
The Importance of Non-Jewish Allies
A recurring theme in the discussion was the need to engage non-Jewish allies in the fight against antisemitism. Sandler explained that while many Canadians, including Muslim, Indigenous, and Catholic communities, are concerned about the rise of antisemitism, their voices have not been loud enough in supporting Jewish communities.
He stressed that building alliances across these communities is crucial to creating a united front against antisemitism. The Alliance of Canadians Combatting Antisemitism (ALCCA), founded by Sandler, is actively working to bring together a coalition of diverse groups, including Indigenous and Iranian communities, to raise awareness and take action against antisemitism. Sandler highlighted the importance of educating non-Jewish Canadians about the realities of antisemitism and Zionism, noting that many misconceptions about Israel and the Jewish community can be dispelled through education.
Systemic Changes on University Campuses
One of the most pressing issues raised was the need for systemic changes to combat antisemitism on university campuses. Sandler praised the work of organizations like Hillel, Stand With Us, and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) for creating rapid response teams to deal with antisemitic incidents as they arise. However, he argued that more needs to be done at a systemic level to address the root causes of antisemitism in higher education.
Sandler called for universities to take a stronger stance against professors who create a "poisoned environment" for Jewish and Zionist students through indoctrination. He also urged universities to enforce their codes of conduct, which prohibit occupations and hate speech on campus, and for ministers of education to play a more active role in ensuring that anti-racism policies on campuses include antisemitism as a priority.
Lawlessness and the Role of Law Enforcement
Sandler linked the rise of antisemitism to a broader problem of lawlessness, particularly in the context of protests and demonstrations. He noted that extremist groups have been emboldened by the lack of enforcement against hate speech and violent rhetoric.
He gave examples of extremist slogans chanted at protests, such as “From the River to the Sea,” which rise to the level of criminality as unequivocal hate speech when coupled with “From the Water to the Water, Palestine Shall Be Arab” and indicate that bullets are available for terrorists to use.
Sandler called for a stronger response from law enforcement, emphasizing that a failure to act creates an environment where extremists feel free to promote hatred without consequence. He argued that this lawlessness threatens not just Jewish communities but public safety as a whole, and that addressing it requires a concerted effort from both police and political leaders.
The Role of Civil Litigation
In response to a question about the role of civil lawsuits, Sandler explained that while pro bono legal work has traditionally been used to fight antisemitism, and that those involved are to be commended, this model is unsustainable in the long term. He indicated that he is working with established NGOs to create a community litigation fund. This fund, which aims to raise millions of dollars, will support public interest litigation that addresses antisemitism and other hate-related issues. Sandler explained that a well-resourced litigation strategy is essential for taking on complex cases and achieving lasting legal victories for the Jewish community.
A Call to Action and Hope for Change
Toward the end of the discussion, Sandler called on the audience to get involved in the fight against antisemitism by subscribing to the ALCCA newsletter and participating in its calls to action. He emphasized that the newsletter provides detailed analysis of critical issues and offers pragmatic ways for individuals to take action.
He also shared some hopeful developments, such as recent legal victories at Concordia and McGill Universities, where court injunctions were granted to prevent anti-Israel protests from intimidating students. Additionally, Sandler pointed to growing support from Indigenous leaders, such as Harry Laforme, who have spoken out against the misuse of their traditional lands for protests that promote antisemitism.