OTTAWA – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hosted a World Jewish Congress delegation led by WJC President Ronald S. Lauder on Tuesday for warm talks focused on the challenges facing world Jewry.
During the short meeting, the delegation thanked Trudeau for his efforts to combat antisemitism and the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, and for his stalwart support of Israel.
Trudeau told the delegation that he will be traveling to Paris this evening, and that one of the main issues on the table is the fight against hate speech, adding that he has the full support from all minority communities and progressives in Canada in this endeavor.
Lauder was joined in the delegation by WJC Treasurer Chella Safra, as well as by members of the International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians, which operates under the auspices of the WJC.
The WJC Governing Board is currently convening in Ottawa for its annual meeting, with the participation of Jewish leaders from nearly 80 countries. During the meeting, the Governing Board will vote on a series of policy resolutions pertaining to the pressing issues in the Jewish world today. The Board will also meet Wednesday with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Jason Greenblatt, for a special session at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.