[Order Michael Finch’s new book, A Time to Stand: HERE. Prof. Jason Hill calls it “an aesthetic and political tour de force.”]
Canadian journalist Élisa Serret has just spewed the purest form of antisemitism on air, claiming that “the Jews” control America through their money. More on Serret’s remarks, and the so far insufficient response by the national broadcaster, can be found here: “‘Jews control US politics, Hollywood, big cities,’ Canadian reporter says on live broadcast,” by Michael Starr, Jerusalem Post, September
After on-air statements in which a French-language Radio-Canada reporter made statements about Jews controlling different aspects of society and countries, the national broadcaster apologized on Tuesday and suspended the journalist.
Journalist Élisa Serret explained in a Monday French-language segment that the United States of America could not detach itself from its positions on the State of Israel because “the Israelis, in fact the Jews, finance a lot of American politics.”
“The big cities are run by Jews,” said Serret, speaking of broader infrastructure in which Jewish control was supposedly exerted. “Hollywood is run by the Jews.”
Radio-Canada suspended Serret, it announced the next day, relieving her of her journalistic duties until further notice. The broadcaster decried her analysis of American Middle East policy as “stereotypical, antisemitic, erroneous,” which included “prejudicial allegations against Jewish communities.”
“These unacceptable comments violate Radio-Canada’s journalistic standards and practices and in no way reflect the opinion of the public broadcaster,” Radio-Canada said on Tuesday.
We recognize that these comments have offended many viewers. We sincerely apologize to them and to the Jewish community.”…
Radio-Canada should not merely have suspended Élisa Serret, which suggests she might continue to be kept on in some capacity at Radio-Canada, but fired her outright. And then Radio-Canada should also investigate, and suspend, those in the control room who failed to cut off her broadcast as soon as she started to mouth her malignancy. Finally, Radio-Canada should look for tell-tale signs of virulent antisemitism in the social media posts of those it has hired, or is considering hiring.