Independent Jewish Voices NB condemns vandalism, calls for safety through solidarity

The members and supporters of the New Brunswick chapter of Independent Jewish Voices Canada are deeply concerned and saddened by the act of vandalism and hate perpetrated on Fredericton synagogue Sgoolai Israel. This attack’s timing on Holocaust Remembrance Day sends a clear message of antisemitism to Jews across the Maritimes.

We recognize the swift response from local politicians and community leaders, including responses of solidarity and support from anti-oppression and pro-Palestinian groups around the province.

While the outpouring of support is wonderful to see, we are also disturbed by many of the initial responses made by local leaders and politicians that suggest an underlying prejudice toward the Palestinian community and Palestine solidarity activists. It is crucial to dispel the misconceptions that all Palestinians hate Jews, and that criticism of Israel is anti-semitic.

Assigning blame to an entire group perpetuates dangerous stereotypes, especially when done without substantive evidence. As members of the Jewish community, we are acutely aware of the historical dangers associated with baseless accusations, such as blood libel. We urge law enforcement investigating this incident to not be distracted by prejudiced or fear-based accusations, and instead use fact-based investigative tools to identify the perpetrators.

We are equally disturbed by the implication in many of the responses that paint all criticism of the State of Israel as an act of antisemitism. Examples cited in national media over the past 36 hours [as of Jan. 28] have included “chanting” and “genocidal words” from protesters since October 7, and likening this isolated incident to the large-scale, politically-endorsed violence endured by Jews during Kristallnacht in 1938. Misinformation like this contributes to confusion and makes it difficult to identify true threats to Jewish life from valid criticism of any government’s policies.

In the words of Jewish educator Jason Kunin, “Prejudice needs power to become oppression, and in a climate of mass hysteria, it’s important to be able to distinguish between the two so we know what level of threat we’re dealing with. Otherwise, small incidents get inflated into weighty ones, and this serves no purpose but to spread needless fear.” We are heartened by the loud outpouring of support and solidarity from the larger New Brunswick community against this attack, and grateful to know that the majority of our neighbours do not condone such acts.

Especially in trying times like today, when fears are highest and a community is in pain, we must remember to act in solidarity with all oppressed peoples – this is the only way to ensure true Jewish safety and an end to antisemitism in Fredericton and around the world.

Independent Jewish Voices Canada is a 16-year-old national human rights organization grounded in Jewish tradition that opposes all forms of racism and advocates for justice and peace for all in Israel-Palestine. It has chapters in cities and university campuses across Canada, including a newly formed chapter in New Brunswick.