NDP Foreign Affairs Critic Organized ‘Human Rights’ Event With Man Who Has Long History Of Spreading Antisemitism

InsightSpencerFernando

As antisemitism surges both in Canada and around the world, the NDP is making things worse.

The NDP portrays itself as a ‘modern’ and ‘progressive’ party.

And yet, they seem more than willing to provide a platform to those who indulge in some of the oldest and most regressive forms of hatred in the world.

As we know, antisemitism is on the rise around much of the world, including here in Canada.

Given those circumstances, and given Canada’s history of standing against antisemitism, you would think that federal politicians would want to act responsibly and would be careful about who they associate with and who they provide a platform to.

But instead, the NDP foreign affairs critic chose to organize an event with someone who has long history of spreading antisemitism:

“Just days after a gathering of multiple antisemites at Parliament Hill, this morning NDP critic for Foreign Affairs @HMcPhersonMP organized another ignominious gathering with Fareed Khan for International Human Rights Day #CdnPoli #Antisemitism 1/11”

https://twitter.com/AntisemitismCA/status/1600914435958534144

“Fareed Khan, founder of “Canadians United Against Hate”, has spread shocking antisemitism on social media for years. He has said that he is in “100% in agreement” with the statement that “Zionism is exactly the same as Nazism” and a “construct of the psychopathic mind”. 2/11”

“He also indicates agreement that Zionism is “an illness that’s infecting the entire world…and literally destroying…the rest of the world”.“Zionism is a parasite, a deadly cancer, hiding behind Judaism…It is the root of all this hatred and Anti-Semitism we see in the world”3/11”

The thread continues:

By doing this, the NDP is helping normalize antisemitism in Canada:

“That such figures would be welcomed to Parliament in celebration of International Human Rights is a gross mockery of the very concept of human rights. Heather McPherson and the NDP must apologize. This is another sad demonstration of the normalization of antisemitism. 11/11”

Following the event, McPherson issued a statement, saying she wasn’t aware of the antisemtic statements:

“Today I attended an event to commemorate International Human Rights Day. Unbeknownst to me, one participant had previously expressed disgusting antisemitic sentiments. I apologize for participating and unequivocally denounce antisemitism in all its forms.”

While the statement and apology is an important move, it’s interesting how the NDP keeps making this ‘mistake.’

Why does the NDP get a free pass on this?

Much of the attention on the rise of antisemitism has been focused on Kanye West, which makes sense given his level of fame and the truly shocking depths to which he has plunged.

However, more relevant to what is happening in Canada is that we have high-level politicians who are clearly willing to pander to – and perhaps share – antisemitic views.

Notably, the NDP doesn’t get tagged as an antisemitic party by the media.

They repeatedly get a free pass, as they hide their antisemitic views behind ‘pro-Palestinian advocacy.’

And yet, whether on the left or on the right, antisemitism always has some sort of ‘excuse’ that is nothing more than a smokescreen for perpetuating hatred towards Jewish People.

Neither the NDP – nor any other party or any politician anywhere on the political spectrum – should get a free pass for this.

Antisemitism goes against Canadian values, and we cannot allow it to keep spreading.

Spencer Fernando

Photo – Twitter

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