The NDP is facing serious criticism for disavowing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. The occasion was the release, by the Department of Canadian Heritage, of a 40-page “Canadian Handbook” laying out how the definition should be applied (could be applied? Must be? It’s unclear) in this country.

The major issue is an evergreen one: whether and in what circumstances criticism of Israel or of Zionism should be considered antisemitic. That relates most specifically to the following example of antisemitism included in the IHRA definition: “Applying double standards by requiring of (Israel) a behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.”