A newly formed federal committee tasked with combating rising anti-Jewish hatred in Canada has sparked controversy due to the inclusion of members with histories of defending groups designated as terrorist entities. The Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality, and Inclusion, announced by the Prime Minister's Office on Monday, consists of seven members, only one of whom is Jewish: Marc Gold, a former Liberal-appointed Senator.
Controversial Appointments
The most contentious member is Omar Alghabra, the former Liberal MP for Mississauga Centre. Critics have pointed to his past role as president of the Canadian Arab Federation, during which he lobbied to have Hezbollah and Hamas removed from Canada's list of official terrorist organizations. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre recalled Alghabra's efforts, stating, "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."
In a 2004 letter, Alghabra criticized Canadian media for labeling groups like the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades as terrorists, despite their official designation as a terrorist entity by Canada since 2003. He argued that such terminology reflected a failure of responsibility toward all Canadians. Additionally, upon the death of Yasser Arafat in 2004, Alghabra praised the former Palestinian leader for highlighting the Palestinian struggle for independence.
Other Committee Members
The committee also includes an Edmonton lawyer who filed a Charter challenge in defense of anti-Israel encampments. The formation of this advisory council comes amid a surge in antisemitic incidents across Canada, raising questions about the suitability of its members to address Jewish concerns.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office stated that the council aims to build a country where Jewish Canadians can be "visibly, fully, and joyfully Jewish in public life." However, the inclusion of individuals with controversial backgrounds has drawn sharp criticism from Jewish advocacy groups and political opponents.
