# Minister's letter does not backtrack on anti-Zionism acknowledgment

> Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree clarifies anti-Zionism isn't antisemitism in government letter.
- Title: Minister's letter does not backtrack on anti-Zionism…
- Summary: Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree clarifies anti-Zionism isn't antisemitism in government letter. Canada's government states anti-Zionism isn't…
- Keywords: national council of canadian muslims, public safety minister, gary anandasangaree, anti-zionism, antisemitism, ihra working definition, canada, government letter, news, politics, Minister's, letter
- Source: Nationalpost — https://nationalpost.com/opinion/terry-newman-ministers-letter-does-not-backtrack-on-anti-zionism-acknowledgment
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: national council of canadian muslims, public safety minister, gary anandasangaree, anti-zionism, antisemitism, ihra working definition, canada, government letter, news, politics
## NCCM posts misleading headline
The National Council of Canadian Muslims posted a response letter to Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree.

> Government of Canada clarifies: anti-Zionism is not antisemitism
## Minister clarifies anti-Zionism stance
Anandasangaree states the report did not suggest all criticism of Zionism is antisemitic.

> the report did not intend to suggest that all criticism of Zionism, Israeli government policies or the State of Israel are antisemitic
## NCCM claims dishonesty
The NCCM argues acknowledging anti-Zionism isn't always antisemitism doesn't mean it's never antisemitic.

> Acknowledging that not all anti-Zionism is antisemitism isn't the same thing as saying that anti-Zionism is never antisemitism in any instance
## Minister's reassurance
Anandasangaree reassures NCCM that Canada supports open debate on Israel, Palestine and Middle East issues.

> Canada’s position has not changed. Canada continues to support open, respectful and lawful debate on issues related to Israel, Palestine, the Middle East and international affairs
## IHRA definition context
The IHRA working definition of antisemitism was adopted in 2019 as part of Canada’s anti-racism strategy.

> the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism was adopted in 2019 as part of Canada’s anti-racism strategy
## Handbook non-binding nature
The Canadian Handbook on the IHRA definition is non-prescriptive guidance for practical use.

> the handbook was published by the Department of Canadian Heritage in 2024 as non-prescriptive guidance for how the IHRA definition can be practically used
## Government's next steps
Canada needs to define when antisemitic anti-Zionist acts occur before the handbook becomes useful.

> the acknowledgement, like the Canadian Handbook on the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, is non-binding, non-prescriptive and essentially useless until government realizes that antisemitic anti-Zionist acts need to be properly defined and categorized
## Key takeaway

Canada's government states anti-Zionism isn't always antisemitism but acknowledges the need for clearer definitions.