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Israel lobby in Canada

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Full article adapted from Wikipedia revision 1375177532 by Wikipedia contributors. Text is available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting has been adapted; article text and references are retained. Snapshot imported 2026-09-25.

The Israel lobby in Canada comprises individuals and groups seeking to influence Canadian foreign policy in favour of the State of Israel, bilateral ties with it, Zionism or the policies of the Israeli government.

History

In 1973, the Canada-Israel Committee, now the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CJIA) began sponsoring trips to Israel for federal politicians.[1]

On 1 July 2023, new rules for the Lobbyist's Code of Conduct went into effect, restricting registered lobbyists from lobbying federal politicians who accept free trips from them.[1] CIJA stated it would be on of the groups most affected by the new rules.[1] CJIA was given an exception to these rules, as a $134,304 trip for seven MPs scheduled for July 2023 was planned before the rule changed.[2] The group was instead given a two year period during which CIJA was barred from lobbying any of those MPs.[2]

In the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, Canadian pro-Israel lobbying organizations have criticized then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for fueling antisemitism, staying "the blood of dead babies - Israeli and Palestinian - is on Hamas."[3]

In October 2024, Canada's government published the Canadian Handbook on the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, which was lobbied for by B’nai Brith Canada and Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.[4][5]

Organizations

Key organizations of the Israel lobby in Canada include the Jewish Defense League of Canada, B'nai Brith Canada, the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy, NGO Monitor, Campus Watch, University Outreach Committee, and the Canadian Academic Friends of Israel.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Chase, Steven (2023-09-17). "Changes to lobbying rules could spell end to 50 years of free trips to Israel for Canadian MPs, senators". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 2026-03-31. Retrieved 2026-09-05.
  2. ^ a b Thompson, Elizabeth (May 20, 2026). "Despite change to lobbying rules, foreign governments and groups still funding MP travel". CBC News. Archived from the original on May 26, 2026. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
  3. ^ Kestler-D'Amours, Jillian. "Israel, Palestine and Canada's 'schizophrenic foreign policy'". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 2026-09-06. Retrieved 2026-09-05.
  4. ^ "How The Israel Lobby Shaped Canada's Definition Of Antisemitism". The Maple. 2025-10-09. Archived from the original on 2026-08-11. Retrieved 2026-09-05.
  5. ^ "Canadian Handbook on the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism". canada.ca. 2024-10-31. Archived from the original on 2026-08-24. Retrieved 2026-09-05.
  6. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-11-04. Retrieved 2026-09-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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