WINNIPEG — The federal New Democratic Party’s leadership convention in Winnipeg has triggered significant concern among Jewish organizations and pro-Israel advocates, following the election of new leadership and the prominence of anti-Israel rhetoric, symbolism, and controversial remarks during the event.
Delegates elected Avi Lewis as national leader, alongside Niall Clapham Ricardo as party president and Libby Davies as vice president. Critics argue that the backgrounds, affiliations, and public positions of these figures signal a continued ideological shift within the party toward positions viewed as increasingly hostile to Israel.
Avi Lewis Background And Ideological Positioning
Lewis’s leadership has drawn particular attention due to both his Jewish background and his long record of activism critical of Israel. As the son of the late Stephen Lewis and journalist Michele Landsberg, he was raised in a prominent Canadian Jewish family with deep ties to progressive political movements.
Despite this background, Lewis has become widely known for his strong alignment with anti-Israel and antizionist activism. He has been associated with movements and narratives that frame Israel primarily through the lens of colonialism and systemic injustice, positions that critics argue often erase Jewish historical connection to the land and the security realities facing the Jewish state.
For many pro-Israel observers, the combination of Jewish identity and outspoken opposition to Zionism has amplified concern. They argue that such positioning can be used to legitimize broader anti-Israel narratives while shielding them from scrutiny.
During his acceptance speech, these concerns were reinforced by both language and optics. Multiple individuals stood behind Lewis wearing keffiyehs, now widely recognized in Western political contexts as symbols of anti-Israel activism. Approximately two minutes into the speech, one individual began waving a large Palestinian flag directly behind him.
Critics say the imagery was not incidental but reflective of a broader ideological alignment. No effort was made during the speech to distance the leadership from these symbols or to acknowledge concerns from Jewish Canadians.
Leadership Ties And Party Direction
Niall Clapham Ricardo, elected as party president, has been identified as an activist associated with Independent Jewish Voices Canada. While IJV presents itself as a Jewish voice critical of Israel, it has been widely rejected by mainstream Jewish organizations as unrepresentative and aligned with positions that many view as hostile to Israel’s legitimacy.
Libby Davies, now vice president, has long been associated with advocacy framed as “justice for Palestine.” While supporters describe this as human rights advocacy, critics argue that such framing frequently excludes Israeli perspectives and contributes to narratives that can fuel hostility toward Israel and Jewish communities.
Kinew’s Remarks Draw Additional Backlash
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew also appeared at the convention and is facing backlash following remarks in which he stated, “Let the Epstein class fight the Epstein war.”
The comment has drawn criticism from Jewish advocates and community members, who argue that such language risks echoing longstanding conspiracy tropes about hidden networks of power and influence. Experts who monitor antisemitism note that rhetoric invoking shadowy elites or undefined “classes” can, in certain contexts, mirror narratives historically linked to antisemitism.
While Kinew did not explicitly reference Jewish individuals or communities, critics say the phrasing is problematic in the current climate. Organizations focused on antisemitism awareness have warned that invoking figures like Jeffrey Epstein in broad political messaging can unintentionally reinforce patterns of insinuation historically directed at Jewish communities.
The controversy has been amplified by the broader context of the convention, where visible anti-Israel symbolism was present during key moments.
A Broader Pattern Of Concern
Jewish advocacy groups have warned of a growing trend in which antisemitism is increasingly expressed through the language of anti-Israel activism. While criticism of Israeli policy is a legitimate part of democratic discourse, experts note that the use of double standards, delegitimization, and rhetoric that denies Israel’s legitimacy crosses into antisemitism.
The imagery and messaging at the Winnipeg convention have intensified these concerns. The presence of keffiyehs, Palestinian flags, and leadership figures associated with anti-Israel advocacy has been interpreted by many as indicative of a broader shift within the party.
Failure Of Leadership Clarity
At the core of the criticism is what many observers describe as a failure to draw clear lines. Political movements that claim to stand for human rights are expected to apply those principles consistently.
Critics argue that the NDP convention demonstrated a lack of such consistency. Anti-Israel symbolism was visible at the highest levels of the event without challenge or clarification. No effort was made to reassure Jewish Canadians or to distinguish between legitimate political debate and rhetoric perceived as exclusionary or hostile.
Implications For Canadian Politics
The developments in Winnipeg come amid a documented rise in antisemitism across Canada. Political parties play a central role in shaping public discourse and establishing boundaries for acceptable speech.
For many in the Jewish community, the concern is that the NDP is moving toward a position where anti-Israel activism is not only tolerated but embedded within its leadership culture.
Lewis emphasized themes of justice and solidarity in his speech. However, critics argue that those principles ring hollow when they exclude the Jewish state or fail to acknowledge the security challenges Israel faces.
A Defining Moment
The Winnipeg convention may represent a turning point for the NDP. It has exposed a growing divide between the party’s messaging and the concerns of Jewish Canadians.
For pro-Israel observers, the message from the convention was clear. A political movement that does not confront antisemitism within its own ranks risks undermining its credibility and its stated commitment to equality.
As the new leadership team takes shape, the central question remains whether the party will address these concerns directly or continue down a path that many believe is increasingly alienating Jewish Canadians and eroding trust.
