Nearly 100 Jewish Canadians — including rabbis, academics, journalists, artists, peace activists, and long-time NDP members — have issued a public letter calling on the New Democratic Party of Canada to allow author and foreign-policy critic Yves Engler to participate in the party’s 2025 federal leadership race.
The letter, released on December 5, directly addresses NDP officials and urges the party’s vetting committee not to bar Engler from running.
“Please do not exclude Yves Engler from the NDP leadership race,” the signatories write.
The authors reject recent media narratives suggesting that Engler should be disqualified on the basis of his criticisms of Israel or concerns about antisemitism.
“We reject any effort to cite Judaism or the Jewish community as grounds for restricting NDP members’ right to make up their own minds about Engler’s candidacy,” the letter states. “Jewish Canadians, like all Canadians, hold a range of views on Engler’s writing and activism.”
Letter counters pressure from anti-Palestinian organizations
In recent days, several anti-Palestinian organizations and commentators — including B’nai Brith, Israel Now, and media figures such as Jeremy Levi and Brian Liley — have publicly urged the NDP to block Engler from the contest. The signatories argue that such pressure undermines democratic rights within the party and misrepresents the views of Jewish Canadians.
“The thrust of his critique is grounded in fact”
The letter highlights Engler’s long record of writing on Canadian foreign policy and his outspoken criticism of Canada’s military, diplomatic, and financial support for Israel. While acknowledging that his language can be forceful at times, the signatories argue that his overall critique is rooted in documented evidence and international law.
“Engler has written extensively on Canadian foreign policy and has been a leading critic of Canadian support for Israeli apartheid and genocide,” the letter states. “At times his language may be strong, but the thrust of his critique is grounded in fact, in the defence of international law, and in justice for all, including Palestinians.”
Jewish Canadians criticize silence on Gaza in NDP leadership debate
One of the central concerns raised in the letter is the absence of any discussion of Gaza during the recent NDP leadership debate in Montreal.
“At the recent NDP leadership debate, Gaza wasn’t even mentioned,” the authors note.
They argue that this silence is out of touch with millions of Canadians — especially young people — who have watched the devastation in Gaza unfold and participated in mass protests across the country.
The signatories emphasize that, as Jewish Canadians who oppose Israel’s actions, they expect leadership candidates to take strong positions on international law and Palestinian rights. Allowing Engler onto the ballot, they argue, would help ensure those issues are not sidelined.
Diverse signatories from across Canada
The letter includes a wide range of prominent Jewish academics, activists, and cultural figures, such as:
- Rabbi David Mivasair
- Aaron Maté, award-winning journalist
- Daniel Maté, author and composer
- Judy Haiven, PhD, writer and activist
- James Deutsch, University of Toronto (ret.)
- Barry Weisleder, Chair, NDP Socialist Caucus
- Freda Guttman, artist
- Sheila Delany, professor emerita, SFU
- Cy Gonick, founder of Canadian Dimension magazine
- Bruce Katz, Co-President, Palestinian and Jewish Unity
- Michael Litwack, University of Alberta
- Nicole Spencer, UBC clinical instructor and Jewish Faculty Network member
And many others — including retired teachers, nurses, young activists, Holocaust family descendants, peace organizers, and former NDP riding executives.
The full list contains nearly 100 names, reflecting what the authors describe as the diversity of Jewish opinion in Canada on foreign policy, Palestine, and the role of dissent in political parties.
“Let NDP members decide”
Ultimately, the signatories argue that barring Engler would be undemocratic and counterproductive.
“We call on all NDP leadership candidates to take strong stands in favour of Palestinian rights, and we believe allowing Yves Engler to run will help ensure that happens.”
The full letter and list of endorsers is available online.
