NDP membership wades into debate over controversial definition of anti-Semitism

OTTAWA — A debate over the definition of anti-Semitism has spilled over to the federal New Democrats ahead of the party convention next month.

Nearly 50 NDP riding associations have endorsed a motion that opposes a working definition of anti-Semitism set out by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

Critics of the definition say it chills legitimate criticism of Israeli policy, while backers say it crystallizes understandings of anti-Semitism, which they say includes demonization of the Jewish state.

Canada adopted the definition as part of the federal government’s anti-racism strategy in 2019, one of more than two dozen countries to enshrine the non-legally binding parameters.