A significant number of Canadian Jews are now hesitant to identify themselves as Zionists, not because they oppose the existence of Israel, but due to a widespread fear of backlash and the term's increasingly negative public perception, according to a new academic study.
The Fear Factor and Semantic Shift
The research, led by University of Toronto sociology professor Robert Brym, finds that a climate of apprehension is influencing the community's public identity. "They're scared, not all — but many, if not most — are scared about what might transpire," Brym told the National Post. He pointed to violent antisemitic incidents in cities like Manchester and Sydney as potential harbingers for Canada.
Published in the journal Canadian Jewish Studies, the study is a follow-up to a 2024 survey that found a striking disconnect: while 94% of Canadian Jews polled supported Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, 49% did not identify as Zionists. Brym's latest work sought to explain this gap.
From Positive Ideal to Pejorative Slur
Brym identifies a key reason as a "semantic drift," where the word Zionism has taken on a harshly negative meaning in public discourse, especially since the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023. The phrase "Zionism is racism" has become commonplace at protests, in graffiti, and on campuses, transforming the term into a pejorative.
"It's become a pejorative word in the mass media and on the street and in places of work, in the university system, in public schools and so on," Brym explained. This shift has led many to distance themselves from the label, even if their core beliefs align with the dictionary definition of Zionism—support for Jewish self-determination.
The data underscores this nuance: Even among Canadian Jews who refuse the Zionist label, 88% agree that Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state.
Real-World Consequences in Canadian Cities
The study's findings are reflected in recent events across Canada. In Toronto, anti-Israel protests have occurred in Jewish neighborhoods. In November 2025, five people were arrested at an anti-Israel protest targeting an off-campus event for Jewish students from Toronto Metropolitan University. Another protest in December 2025 at a Munk debate featuring former Israeli politicians resulted in two arrests.
Brym suggests the reluctance to embrace the Zionist identity is, in part, a public signal. "I think this is a way of informing the general public that Jews are hurting," he said. The choice of words is now a calculated decision for personal safety and social standing, rather than a pure reflection of political belief.
Ultimately, the research concludes that for nearly half of Canadian Jews, the issue is not one of ideology but of language and safety. "The only question is whether (Canadian Jews) want to label themselves as such," Brym stated. In the current climate, a growing number are deciding the answer is no.
