While many Canadian Jews feel alone and unsupported due to rising antisemitism, they may find solace in knowing that numerous non-Jews, including many with Muslim and Arabic backgrounds, are strongly objecting to some of Prime Minister Mark Carney's controversial decisions.
Take Canadian human-rights activists Yasmine Mohammed and Ashti Waissi, for instance. The pair collaborated with other volunteers at CLARITy Coalition Canada earlier this week to create a petition aimed at persuading Carney to reconsider his choices for the advisory council he recently formed to combat racism and antisemitism. A key concern is Carney's appointment of Omar Alghabra, former Liberal MP and transport minister, to the council.
Alghabra's Controversial Background
Before entering politics, Alghabra served as president of the Canadian Arab Federation. The organization has advocated against listing Hezbollah and Hamas as terrorist organizations. During his presidency, the federation filed a formal complaint against the National Post for labeling the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade as terrorists, despite its official designation as such by the Canadian government.
Last Tuesday, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre told a reporter, “I remember Mr. Alghabra lobbying me, before he was in politics, to keep Hezbollah legal. So I’m not sure that he’s the right guy to combat antisemitism.”
Petition Gains Traction
Waissi, who is of Kurdish descent, said over the phone Thursday, “This appointment was a slap to the face of Jewish Canadians and anyone who cares about human rights. We are hoping that our petition will apply the necessary pressure on Carney and his administration to make the changes necessary to ensure the effectiveness of this advisory council.”
The petition was posted online at midnight on Tuesday and had garnered nearly 2,000 signatures by Friday afternoon. Waissi and Mohammed plan to widely circulate the petition and bring it to Carney's attention. Waissi called the response “amazing” and noted that many positive responses have come from Muslim Canadians.
“I was absolutely horrified by the appointments chosen by Carney,” said Mohammed, a podcaster and author who has spent years fighting for women’s rights. “I genuinely cannot conceive of why he would choose someone who has spoken up in defence of terrorist groups to an advisory council meant to combat racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia and hate in all forms, and to foster social cohesion and protect rights across Canada.”
CLARITy Coalition Canada describes itself as a coalition founded by Muslims, ex-Muslims, academics, scholars, authors and activists who stand for peace, democracy, liberty and secular governments.
