Radio-Canada is apologizing after one of its reporters used antisemitic language during a television broadcast on Monday.
Correspondent Élisa Serret was doing a television hit from Washington about U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Israel — a trip that came soon after Israeli forces launched strikes on Hamas targets in Qatar.
Asked by the host of news program Sur le terrain why the U.S. has not distanced itself from Israel in the wake of that military action, Serret said in French “the Israelis, in fact the Jews, finance a lot of American politics” and control a “big machine.”
She added that America’s big cities and Hollywood are “run by Jews.”
In a statement posted to its website, Radio-Canada described Serret’s remarks as “stereotypical, antisemitic, erroneous and prejudicial allegations against Jewish communities.”
“These unacceptable comments contravene Radio-Canada’s Journalistic Standards and Practices and in no way reflect the opinion of the public broadcaster. As a result, the news department has decided to relieve the journalist of her duties until further notice,” the French statement reads.
“We are aware that these comments have offended many viewers. We sincerely apologize and regret this.”
Serret’s comments drew condemnation from the Quebec chapter of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), a Canadian Jewish rights advocacy group.
In a social media post, CIJA said Radio-Canada was disseminating “antisemitic lies.”
Eta Yudin, CIJA’s vice-president for Quebec, said the public broadcaster should take concrete steps to ensure antisemitic remarks are kept off Canadian airwaves.
“This incident cannot be allowed to pass without serious internal reflection on the damage such hateful rhetoric inflicts on our democratic values,” Yudin said. “Antisemitism is corroding the fabric of our society.”
Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault, the minister responsible for CBC/Radio-Canada, said “antisemitism has no place in Canada” and Serret’s remarks were “pernicious antisemitic tropes.”
“When antisemitic language is used by journalists, or anyone in a position of trust, it risks normalizing hatred in deeply dangerous ways,” Guilbeault said.
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, who was named the government’s special adviser on Jewish community relations and antisemitism last year, said Serret uttered “textbook tropes that are antisemitic under the IHRA definition,” which has been adopted by the Government of Canada.
That’s a reference to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which explicitly states any contention that Jews control the media, economy, government or other societal institutions is an example of antisemitism.
Housefather said it’s a “positive development” that Radio-Canada has apologized, relieved Serret of her duties and made clear it is unacceptable to use that sort of language.
Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman, the party’s deputy leader, said the public broadcaster failed in its duty to “uphold the values of this country” by giving airtime to what she described as an “antisemitic rant.”
“Overt antisemitism on TV is part of the deep systemic rot corroding our society, and it flourishes when tax-funded institutions provide it with a platform,” Lantsman said.
Referencing Radio-Canada’s statement on the incident, Lantsman said “Canadians deserve better than excuses and carefully worded apologies.” She called for Serret to be fired.
