Supporter of Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions movement against Israel appointed to Canadian Senate

On Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced three senate appointments, one of which is the former president of the Canadian Labour Congress Hassan Yussuff, who will be representing Ontario.

Yussuff’s appointment was called into question Tuesday by Conservative Senator Linda Frum, who represents Ontario as well.

"Prime Minister Justin Trudeau just rewarded an Israel-hating, BDS-supporter with an appointment to Canada’s Senate. This is Trudeau’s Canada: a place where Jew-hatred is becoming normalized and loathing of a democratic ally, Israel, is becoming mainstreamed," wrote Frum on Twitter.

Attached to Frum’s tweet was a letter written by then-Canadian Labour Congress president Yusseff last year to Doug Ford, voicing concerns on Bill 168, titled "An Act to combat antisemitism."

"I am writing today, on behalf of over 3 million Canadian workers, to express concern with the advancement of Bill 168, which calls on the Government of Ontario to be guided by the working definition of anti-Semitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) when it interprets acts, regulations, and policies," the CLC’s statement begins.

Yusseff argues that despite the fact the group "vehemently condemns antisemitism and all acts of violence and hatred targeted at Jewish individuals and communities," the definition of antisemitism the bill would go off of would permit "the conflation of criticism of the policies of the State of Israel with antisemitism."

"Unfortunately, supporting this approach has the impact of shutting down essential debate on difficult and contentious issues. In particular, calling for a ban on the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, stifles independent and legitimate criticism and protest," wrote Yusseff.

"We are most concerned with the limits to freedom of expression and legitimate protest when claiming that critical analysis of public policies that propel the continued suppression and oppression of the Palestinian people are labelled as anti-Semitic," he continued.

Yusseff outlined a mission led by the CLC to Israel and Palestine in July 2019.

"A key take-away from this tour is the need to encourage ongoing communication and to ensure the presence of the Palestinian voice and perspective in seeking solutions. Shutting down discussion is only hurting any chance of resolving a crisis that has destroyed the promise of generations," he said.

"We witnessed first-hand how the conflict has eroded any economic viability for Palestinian workers and turned them into a source of cheap labour in Israel and the settlements. We met with Israelis equally concerned with the ongoing militarization and suppression of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories and who feared a policy of annexation of the settlements," he continued.

Yusseff concluded his letter to Ford by urging him to oppose the bill, and to "stand up for the right to freedom of expression and legitimate protest, as well as against hate and antisemitism."