Vancouver Archdiocese stands against anti-Semitism

Anti-Semitic rhetoric has become so intense amid pro-Palestinian sentiment in Canada that a Vancouver rabbi is more concerned about the safety of his oldest son on a Montreal university campus working to stop anti-Semitism, than he is  about his middle child, who is currently living in Israel.

Speaking to Archdiocese of Vancouver employees at the John Paul II Pastoral Centre, Temple Beth Israel Rabbi Jonathan Infeld said in recent months nearly all Jewish services and events have needed to have security.

Yet in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and the severe uptick in anti-Semitism, Vancouver’s Jewish community has come to appreciate the friendship shown by two groups: the Vancouver Police Department and the Archdiocese of Vancouver, which was first to reach out in solidarity after the attack, said Infeld.

Infeld said the Canadian government is fuelling anti-Semitism in Canada by siding with pro-Palestinian protesters’ demands for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“Everyone who wants to destroy Israel is in favour of calling for a ceasefire,” the rabbi told about 50 people who gathered to hear him speak about his recent experience at a kibbutz in Israel and the situation in the Holy Land.

“Not everyone who is calling for a ceasefire is in favour of destroying Israel,” he clarified in response to a question about the threat of growing anti-Semitism as a result of Israel’s efforts in Gaza. 

“Not everyone who calls for a ceasefire is anti-Semitic, they just love life, I get it. But sometimes, political situations are more complicated than we want them to be.” 

Infeld believes that if Israel stopped fighting today, it wouldn’t be long before another war began, one that could bring in other organizations.

“Until Hamas is defanged, either politically or militarily, we are looking at a worse war, not just with Hamas, but with Hezbollah,” he said. The Iran-backed, Lebanon-based group has already been exchanging fire with Israeli troops since the Hamas attack. “We would see thousands of Israelis murdered, more hostages taken and even more Palestinians killed.”

He described how he brought hearts and cards made by local Jewish elementary students as gifts for Israeli soldiers. The soldiers responded with appreciation, saying they felt abandoned by the entire world.

Vancouver Archbishop Michael Miller thanked the rabbi for his talk, which he called an incentive “for all of us to continue to pray that there will be a resolution that will come about, God willing, by peaceful negotiation.” 

“But if that is not possible, we certainly want to maintain our solidarity with the people of the Holy Land, especially our Jewish brothers and sisters.”