What Canada and Australia’s Elections Mean for Jews
The Center-Left's Big Win
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l've been processing the election results in Canada and Australia last week and considering what they mean for Jews. And, as someone who does not live in either of these places, let me preemptively say that I welcome comments from Jewish folks abroad!
From what I could gather, the choices sucked for Jews and no result would have been great. However, I'm cautiously optimistic.
Australia and Canada have much smaller Jewish populations than the U.S. However, the antisemitic violence they have faced makes America look like Disney World.
Many Jews facing an existential crisis voted for the right, while others fearing a Trump-like ruling class voted left. (Liberal means conservative in Australia so I will say left and right for the sake of clarity).
Much like here, it was the choice between a shrug and authoritarianism
Overall, the center-left party won both elections, leaving many Jews scared that things wouldn’t get better for them – and could possibly get worse.
But they were also wary of the conservatives, seeing how Trump has used “fighting antisemitism” as a weapon to serve his own autocratic purposes. Plus, like here, many Jews abroad care deeply about other social, political, and economic issues.
But here is why I think the outcome might not just be the best, but also an important signal to American politics.
In both countries, the far left parties suffered blistering defeats.
In Australia, while final results are still pending, voters also dealt a significant blow to the Greens.
“The minor party is on track to lose several MPs – including potentially its party leader, Adam Bandt – and fall short in other electorates that it had hoped to win from Labor, while several teal independents (centrists) retained their seats with improved margins and others are on track to win seats previously held by the Coalition.”
Some votes were lost due to pragmatism and a better chance for the center left, while others were lost because they were simply turned off by unchecked antisemitic harassment and vandalism.
After the results in Canada were announced, the new PM basically told the leftists to get bent.
“Speaking to reporters at his first press conference since his election win, Carney said that — unlike his predecessor — he won’t be seeking a supply and confidence agreement with the all-but-obliterated New Democrats to counter government-toppling confidence motions from the opposition.
“No. Short answer, no.” Carney said when asked by a reporter, adding the word “why?” when asked to elaborate.
“We campaigned on a very clear set of objectives, very clear policies to back those up, and we received the highest number of votes in Canadian history,” he said.”
Moderate liberals and pragmatism won the day.
Maybe this new leadership will stop excusing antisemitism and focus on improving the lives of ALL its citizens.
I spoke to a like-minded Jewish friend in Australia and she agreed:
“The moderates who have been fighting the left flank will have proof that the Greens’ take on Israel is not a good electoral strategy.”
And a hell of an electoral strategy it is when neither government even supplies weapons or financial aid to Israel!
But folks continue to want to blame not just Israel, but the entirety of the Jewish world for all their problems.
In my neighboring city this weekend, the masks came off as several people were involved and possibly hundreds complicit in a blatant act of Jew hatred.
At the same time, I was embroiled in a horrifying discussion in a neighborhood group that included comments like “Jews have a short memory” and “you don’t have to listen to these Zionist commenters centering themselves.” I invited one of the most vicious commenters for a cup of coffee and she ignored me. We have like 20 FB mutuals.
Anyway, it was a cool Sunday.
On the plus side, both threads connected me to more local Jewish women who share my values, and for that, I am grateful.
Sending love to my friends in Canada, Australia, Philadelphia, and wherever the diaspora has delivered you. Our existence is a miracle.