I’ve personally been called a 'dirty Jew,' 'a Jewish cancer,' 'baby killer' and 'Genocide Joe'
The horrors of the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas on Oct. 7 have seeped into our bones, a chilling reminder of a dark history that Jews in Canada, and around the world, can never forget. This isn’t just a distant echo of the past. It’s a present, throbbing pain, a nightmare unfolding in the streets where we live, the places we call home.
Antisemitism, this age-old venom, has long lurked beneath the surface, cloaked in the thin veneer of anti-Zionism, opposition to the world’s singular Jewish state. But with every passing day, that veneer is increasingly shredded, exposing a hatred so raw, so vile, it chills the soul. Our streets, once safe, now echo with the footsteps of hatred marching boldly in broad daylight.
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What started as protests and chants has grotesquely morphed into a reality we can no longer ignore. Our synagogues, our sanctuaries of peace, are now targets of firebombs. Our families, once feeling secure in the hustle and bustle of Canadian life, now face threats that send shivers down our spines. The arrest last week of a teenager in Ottawa, planning to unleash terror upon us, is not just a headline, it’s a personal, terrifying invasion of our safety, our very existence.
The alarming shift we are witnessing transcends political discourse, as what began as criticism of Israel and Zionism has insidiously transformed into direct assaults on Jewish identity.
I’ve personally been called a “dirty Jew,” “a Jewish cancer,” “baby killer,” “Genocide Joe” and all manner of antisemitic slurs for having the audacity to call this hatred out. The frequency and toxicity of which has only increased in a crescendo of hatred. To top it all off, someone went so far as investing the time to make an image of me playing on every antisemtic trope imaginable, with the green skin and red eyes of an orc, horns and all, a swastika emblazoned across my forehead. This hatred is real and it affects us all.
The sacred celebration of Hanukkah, a festival of light and resilience, has been demonized, and twisted into a symbol of controversy and conflict. Jewishness, the very essence of our identity, is being systematically suppressed and erased from the public sphere, most notably in institutions of higher learning.
In a country celebrated for its diversity and acceptance, Jews are now feeling compelled to hide their identities, to diminish their visibility in fear of violence and targeting. This is not just an attack on our beliefs or our heritage; it is a direct threat to our existence and freedom as Canadians.
The fact that we must consider concealing who we are, in a nation that prides itself on multiculturalism, is a stark and painful testament to the depth of this crisis. It is a chilling reminder that the shadows of the past can re-emerge, and a call to action for all who value freedom and diversity to stand against this tide of intolerance.
This isn’t only a threat to the Jewish community; it’s a dagger to the heart of Canadian values, a brutal assault on the principles of diversity and tolerance we hold dear. Our collective soul as a nation is being tested, torn apart by a hatred as old as time that knows no bounds.
We speak of wars in distant lands, of conflicts that seem worlds away. But their echoes are here, in our backyards, morphing into vile chants that support terror and violence. The hatred isn’t hidden; it’s increasingly proclaimed loudly, proudly, and terrifyingly.
In this maelstrom of hate, we, Canadian Jews, stand bewildered and besieged. The notion that we are somehow responsible, that we have a hand in distant wars, is not just ludicrous, it’s meant to harm us. It’s a baseless, cruel accusation that reeks of age-old antisemitism, dressed in modern garb.
These protesters, these voices in the night, demand that their criticism of Israel be separated from antisemitism. A fair request, yet when their words drip with the poison of Jew hatred, how can we stay silent? How can we not scream in pain and outrage?
We find ourselves on a precipice, staring into an abyss filled with hate and division. This discourse, this rising tide of animosity, is not just dangerous; it’s existential. It threatens to rip apart the very fabric of our nation, a fabric woven from threads of diverse cultures, beliefs, and histories.
Our political leaders, those entrusted with the mantle of guiding and protecting our society, are witnessing these lines of hate and responsibility being blurred beyond recognition, yet they remain disturbingly silent. While we receive cursory statements declaring, “This hate has no place in Canada,” these words feel hollow, lacking substance and conviction.
True leadership demands more than passive declarations; it requires action, courage, and clarity. Leadership is about taking a stand, boldly and unequivocally, proclaiming that such vitriol and division will not be tolerated. It involves addressing the nation, not just with words, but with a resolute commitment to safeguarding the values and safety of every Canadian.
Leadership means standing firm, without wavering, in the face of hatred and bigotry, showing that in Canada, there is no room for such darkness to fester and spread. Our leaders must rise to this challenge, for their silence and inaction only serve to amplify the voices of those who seek to divide us.
Our response must not just be strong; it must come from the depths of our souls. We must stand, united, against this wave of hatred, not just to protect the Jewish community, but to preserve the very essence of Canada. This is our cry in the dark, a plea for understanding, for solidarity, for a return to the values that make Canada a beacon of hope in a troubled world. Our future, the future of all Canadians, depends on it. If the history of the Jewish people has taught us anything, it is that what begins with the Jews never ends there and that the greatest evils begin with words and end in destruction.
National Post
Joe Roberts is chair of JSpaceCanada, Canada’s pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy movement. He is also chair of Meretz Canada, and works as a political strategy consultant.
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