The government of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau published a new textbook on anti-Semitism on Thursday that Palestinian rights activists say could stifle criticism of Israel and lead to persecution of pro-Palestinian activists.

The Canadian Handbook on the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism is described by the government as “an educational resource as part of its commitment to combating antisemitism.”

However, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME)claims the textbook “will have a chilling effect on pro-Palestinian discourse and activism.”

Much of the controversy stems from involvement IHRAwhich represents the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and whose definition of anti-Semitism is widely seen as combining criticism of Israel with anti-Semitic rhetoric.

One of the most controversial elements of the textbook, based on the IHRA’s definition of anti-Semitism, is the idea that criticizing Israel as a racist “ethnostate”.” is anti-Semitic.

CJPME says this “will result in public institutions persecuting people who criticize systemic racism in Israel, rather than fighting discrimination.”

The textbook also claims that it is anti-Semitic to oppose the ideology of Zionism, which is defined only as support for Jewish self-determination in their ancestral homeland.

Critics say this ignores the historical and contemporary role of Zionism in the dispossession and oppression of Palestinians, such as NakbaIsrael’s current illegal occupation WEST BANK and the war in Gaza.

Case studies cited in the textbook include social media posts stating that “you can’t be anti-racist and Zionist” and “Zionism is a racist and violent colonial-colonial project.”

On this basis, CJPME warns that this will be used to silence Palestinian experiences of Israeli oppression and freedom of speech to criticize Israel.

Other examples of alleged anti-Semitism cited in the textbook include canceling a speaker’s invitation to an event because she served in the Israeli army, as well as social media posts calling Israel a “colonialist.”

“After over a year of Canadians protesting Israel’s genocide in Gaza, Trudeau has the audacity to publish a guide on how to crack down on pro-Palestinian speech,” CJPME vice-president Michael Bueckert said in a statement.

“This anti-Palestine, pro-censorship handbook is a direct threat to civil liberties and will target critics of Israel’s atrocities, especially Palestinians. We urge Canadian institutions to reject the use of the handbook,” he added.

CJPME claims more than 11,000 Canadians have emailed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking him to drop the textbook.

Trudeau has been criticized for what many consider to be his policies biased towards Israelsuch as his initial refusal to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The Canadian government also passed a partial arms embargo on Israel, which critics pointed out would still see the sale of offensive weapons to be used against civilians in Gaza.

Trudeau also tapped Deborah Lyons, Canada’s Special Envoy for Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Anti-Semitism and a former ambassador to Israel, to lead the drafting of the handbook.