A prominent Canadian Jewish advocacy organization is demanding explanations after an anti-Israel tribunal was hosted within the Senate of Canada building in Ottawa, sparking accusations of providing a platform for antisemitism and pro-terror rhetoric.
Formal Complaint Filed Over Senate Event
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) sent a formal letter of protest to Speaker of the Senate Raymonde Gagné on Monday. In the letter, CIJA CEO Noah Shack expressed that it was "completely unacceptable" for the Senate to provide space to individuals with documented histories of promoting antisemitism and having ties to terrorist organizations.
The event, titled "The Palestine Tribunal on Canadian Responsibility," took place in Ottawa on November 14 and 15. Independent Senator Yuen Pau Woo, who was appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to represent British Columbia, confirmed to National Post that he reserved the Senate room for the tribunal. Woo stated that other senators were informed about the event and given an opportunity to participate.
Controversial Statements and Allegations
During the proceedings, several speakers made inflammatory claims that have drawn sharp criticism. American lawyer Thomas Becker, participating via Zoom, told tribunal attendees about his involvement with the Freedom Flotilla, a group of vessels that attempted to break what they called the "illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza."
Becker made particularly disturbing allegations, including claims that Israeli soldiers committed sexual violence against Palestinians, specifically mentioning "rape by animals." Shack's letter characterized these statements as "blood libels and other classic antisemitic tropes."
Becker also described being intercepted by Israeli forces while participating in the flotilla last month, alleging he was kidnapped and tortured. According to Israel's Foreign Ministry, the vessels and passengers were taken to an Israeli port, and Becker was deported to Turkey several days later, as reported by the Kansas City Star.
Growing Concerns Over Pro-Terror Rhetoric
Multiple speakers at the tribunal accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, despite a ceasefire agreement reached in October. One participant dismissed the ceasefire as "a cover for a continuation of the genocide," while another referred to terrorism as a form of resistance.
David Sachs of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa voiced grave concerns about the implications of the Senate hosting such an event. "The Senate of Canada hosting a panel featuring individuals who have justified the rapes, murders, and atrocities of October 7 should serve as a wake-up call to Canadians," Sachs stated.
The October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack resulted in the murder of 1,200 people in Israel and the taking of 251 hostages. Sachs emphasized that "the growing influence of pro-terror rhetoric within the anti-Israel movement poses a real danger" and called for Canadian institutions to stop providing platforms for those who incite hate and violence under the guise of academic discourse.
Broader Implications for Canadian Institutions
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions in Canada regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and raises questions about what types of events should be permitted in government buildings. The incident has prompted calls for greater scrutiny of events hosted in parliamentary spaces and renewed discussions about balancing free speech with the prevention of hate speech.
Jewish advocacy groups are now awaiting an official response from Senate leadership regarding their concerns about the tribunal and the criteria used for approving events in Senate facilities.
