‘I am Zionist’: Canada’s Justin Trudeau sparks row with support for Israel

“The increasingly common deafening indifference toward or even rationalisation of rising anti-Semitism is not normal. The term Zionist is increasingly being tossed around as a pejorative, even though it simply means believing in the right of Jewish people, like all people, to determine their own future, is not normal,” he said. “No one in Canada should ever be afraid to call themselves Zionists. I am a Zionist.”

His comments were met with both praise and criticism. The Israeli Embassy in Canada welcomed Trudeau’s statement, especially in light of the difficult circumstances facing Jews in Canada and globally.

“We deeply value Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement that ‘no one in Canada should ever be afraid to call themselves a Zionist’ and his clear identification as a Zionist — especially in such dark hours for Jews in Canada and around the world,” the embassy posted on X.

We deeply value Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau‘s statement that “no one in Canada should ever be afraid to call themselves a Zionist” and his clear identification as a Zionist — especially in such dark hours for Jews in Canada and around the world.

As Prime Minister Trudeau… pic.twitter.com/AxSGJSnUIg

— Israel in Canada (@IsraelinCanada) March 7, 2025

According to Israel’s Diaspora Ministry, there has been a 670 per cent increase in antisemitic incidents in Canada since October 7. “This startling stat should keep us all awake at night,” the ministry said. The embassy also highlighted the need for solidarity, urging that words of support must be matched by meaningful actions to ensure safety, combat hate, and educate against antisemitism.

However, UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Francesca Albanese criticised Trudeau’s remarks on X, saying, “Antisemitism, like all racism, is repugnant and must be fought as a legal and moral duty. But opposing it should not mean ignoring the rights of others.”

Antisemitism, like all racism, is repugnant and must be fought as a legal and moral duty. But opposing it should not mean ignoring the rights of others.
No ideology justifies the dispossession of a people or the denial of their right to self-determination. #Canada has legal… https://t.co/PxR07zYQwf

— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) March 7, 2025

Albanese argued that no ideology justifies the dispossession of a people or the denial of their right to self-determination, calling on Canadians to support, not obstruct, Palestinian self-determination. “Failure to do so can have legal consequences under international law. Canadians should be fully aware of this,” she said.

Trudeau’s remarks also sparked backlash on social media, with some users on X writing: “You shouldn’t be afraid; you should be ashamed to call yourself a Zionist.”

Another user commented: “Zionism is a cancerous disease with no moral integrity. It’ll have its day for sure. Every filth has its day. What you guys are doing in Palestine is just another level of filth. Everyone’s watching this filth and is going to eventually take action.”