NDP’s Holocaust Remembrance Statement Faces Scrutiny Amid Questions Over Party’s Commitment To Fighting Antisemitism

On the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP) leader, Jagmeet Singh, issued a statement commemorating the victims of the Holocaust. Singh paid tribute to the six million Jewish men, women, and children murdered by the Nazi regime, as well as millions of other marginalized groups, including Romani people, disabled individuals, and LGBTQI+ people.

Singh’s statement emphasized the enduring pain experienced by Holocaust survivors and their descendants, particularly as antisemitism continues to rise in Canada. He called for collective action to ensure that Jewish Canadians feel safe expressing their identity without fear of discrimination or violence. Singh also reaffirmed the NDP’s commitment to the principle of “never again,” promising that this pledge extends beyond words to meaningful action.

However, critics have questioned the sincerity of Singh’s statement in light of recent controversies involving prominent NDP members. The article previously covered incidents involving Sarah Jama, a now-former NDP Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) in Ontario, and Ramsey Zeid, a controversial activist. Both figures have faced backlash for rhetoric perceived as antisemitic. Jama, censured and ultimately removed from the Ontario NDP caucus, had issued a statement after Hamas’s October 7 attacks that condemned Israel without acknowledging the Israeli victims of terrorism. This omission led to public outcry and accusations of inflaming divisions.

Meanwhile, Singh himself was photographed alongside Ramsey Zeid, an activist known for propagating conspiracy theories about Israel and using inflammatory language against Zionists. Zeid has made public remarks comparing Israel to “Satan” and the Israeli flag to “the flag of Satan,” as well as calling for the eradication of Zionists. These associations raise questions about Singh’s commitment to combating antisemitism within his own party.

The timing of Singh’s Holocaust remembrance statement has led some to view it as a symbolic gesture rather than a substantive commitment. Critics argue that Singh has not sufficiently addressed the harm caused by members of his party who have engaged in rhetoric that many in the Jewish community find threatening.

Additionally, Singh’s call for political parties to ensure the safety and justice of Jewish Canadians has been met with skepticism, as the NDP’s handling of internal controversies involving antisemitism has left some Jewish Canadians feeling unsupported.

The NDP’s statement does underscore the importance of remembering the Holocaust and amplifying the testimonies of survivors. However, the dissonance between these words and the actions—or inactions—of some NDP members raises broader questions about the party’s ability to follow through on its commitment to combating antisemitism.

As Singh stated in his remarks, “Every person who is a target of a hate crime deserves justice.” Observers will be watching to see if the NDP takes further steps to demonstrate that these words apply to all Canadians, including the Jewish community.