In the wake of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, Canada has experienced a disturbing surge in antisemitic incidents. At the center of this troubling trend are individuals and public figures whose rhetoric and actions fuel hostility toward Jewish Canadians under the guise of anti-Israel activism. A photo of Ramsey Zeid and Sarah Jama together has already raised questions about the growing alignment between anti-Israel and antisemitic voices, but an additional photo of Zeid with federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has deepened concerns about the party’s ties to these elements.
Ramsey Zeid, president of the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba (CPAM) and owner of Foodfare, has become notorious for his inflammatory rhetoric, which frequently crosses the line into antisemitism. He has compared Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to Adolf Hitler and likened Israel to Nazi Germany. These comparisons trivialize the Holocaust and demonize Israel in ways that perpetuate dangerous stereotypes.
Zeid’s weekly rallies are rife with chants such as “All Zionists are racist” and “We don’t want no Zionists here,” slogans that go beyond criticizing Israeli policies to targeting the Jewish community as a whole. In a disturbing video, Zeid is seen encouraging children to lead the chant, “All Zionists Are Racists,” raising serious concerns about the indoctrination of hate and the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes against Jewish people.
Zeid has also propagated conspiracy theories, such as the baseless claim that Israel “skins dead Palestinians and steals their organs,” echoing medieval blood libels used to justify violence against Jews.
Zeid frequently dehumanizes Israel and its supporters, calling Israel a “parasite,” equating it with “Satan,” and labeling the Israeli flag as “the flag of Satan.”
He has expressed admiration for figures like Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, and Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, both of whom openly call for Israel’s destruction.
Additionally, Zeid has compared the conflict in Gaza to the Holocaust, a distortion that minimizes the genocide of six million Jews while attempting to paint Israel as the aggressor.
Sarah Jama, a Member of the Provincial Parliament in Ontario, has faced significant criticism for her anti-Israel rhetoric, particularly following the October 7 Hamas attacks. After the attacks, Jama issued a statement condemning Israel while notably failing to acknowledge the more than 1,000 Israeli civilians killed by Hamas. Her portrayal of the conflict as a one-sided issue of “apartheid” and “colonialism” drew widespread condemnation, with critics accusing her of inflaming tensions and ignoring the suffering of the Jewish community.
In response to her remarks, Jama was censured by the Ontario legislature, a formal reprimand that underscored the severity of her comments. Despite the censure, Jama refused to retract her statement, further emboldening anti-Israel activists and exacerbating divisions within the province. Her stance has sparked concerns about the normalization of anti-Israel rhetoric within political circles, leading to greater polarization and hostility towards the Jewish community. Critics argue that her continued refusal to acknowledge the harm caused by her words signals a troubling disregard for the impact of such inflammatory statements on community relations and the fight against antisemitism.
Jama’s actions also led to consequences within her own political party. Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles condemned Jama for “undertaking a number of unilateral actions that have undermined our collective work and broken the trust of her colleagues.” Stiles further stated that some of Jama’s actions “have contributed to unsafe work environments for staff.” As a result, Stiles announced that she had no choice but to remove Jama from the NDP caucus, marking a significant fallout from her controversial remarks and actions.
The controversy surrounding Zeid and Jama took on national significance when federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh was photographed with Ramsey Zeid. This image has raised serious concerns about the NDP’s connections to individuals and movements that propagate anti-Israel and antisemitic rhetoric.
Singh’s association with Zeid, even if unintentional, sends a troubling message. It risks signaling tacit support for the kind of rhetoric Zeid espouses, including comparisons of Israel to Nazis, conspiracy theories about organ theft, and calls for the eradication of Zionists. While Singh has publicly expressed support for human rights and equality, his appearance alongside Zeid raises questions about the NDP’s stance on combating antisemitism within its own ranks.
Since October 7, antisemitic incidents in Canada have surged, with Jewish Canadians facing harassment, vandalism, and violence. Notable examples include an attack on a Jewish-owned business and threats of violence against synagogues in Toronto. B’nai Brith Canada has reported a dramatic increase in antisemitic graffiti, hate mail, and online threats targeting Jewish individuals and organizations.
The rhetoric propagated by figures like Zeid and Jama, amplified by their apparent connections to political leaders such as Singh, contributes to this hostile environment. By framing Israel as inherently evil and equating Zionism with racism, these individuals create a narrative that fuels hatred and emboldens those who seek to target Jewish communities.
This is not the first time the federal NDP has faced scrutiny over its relationship with anti-Israel and antisemitic elements. In recent years, the party has seen the rise of voices within its ranks that align with hardline anti-Zionist positions. Critics argue that Singh has not done enough to address these issues, allowing the party to become a platform for rhetoric that alienates Jewish Canadians and legitimizes hate speech.
The photos of Ramsey Zeid with Sarah Jama and Jagmeet Singh symbolize a troubling alignment between anti-Israel activism and antisemitism in Canada. While criticism of Israel’s policies is legitimate, the rhetoric espoused by figures like Zeid and Jama often crosses into demonization, delegitimization, and dangerous conspiracy theories. Singh’s association with Zeid further complicates the NDP’s position, raising questions about the party’s commitment to combating antisemitism.
As antisemitism continues to rise, Canadians must demand accountability from political leaders and public figures. The normalization of hate under the guise of advocacy poses a threat not just to the Jewish community but to the principles of inclusivity and respect that underpin Canadian society.
Disgusting , vile , inflammatory lies, repetitively said, quoted, remembered, sure to turn Canadians against each other , teaching us to hate and sew division, not what we want in any sort of way!