Canadian Jewish group criticizes Carney government over antisemitism definition

The advocacy group Independent Jewish Voices has criticized Canada's government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, over a move it says equates anti-Zionism with antisemitism, according to Anadolu Agency.

The organization described the step as an appalling capitulation to pro-Israel advocacy groups and called on the government to retract the position.

The dispute touches on a broader and long-running debate over how governments and institutions define antisemitism, and whether criticism of Zionism or Israeli government policy should be treated as a form of antisemitic expression. Jewish organizations themselves have been divided on the question, with groups such as Independent Jewish Voices arguing that conflating the two conflates legitimate political criticism with bigotry.

It was not immediately clear what specific policy, statement or guidance from the Carney government prompted the group's criticism, or whether officials have responded to the demand for a retraction.

The Canadian government has not issued a public reply to the group's statement as of the report.