Last week, the Creative Community for Peace (CCP) published an open letter denying that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.

The CCP describes itself as a “non-profit entertainment industry organization comprised of prominent members of the entertainment community who have come together to build bridges through the arts, to educate and counter rising antisemitism in the entertainment industry, and to galvanize support against the cultural boycott of Israel.”

Their letter has been signed by more than 6,000 people, whom the CCP describes as “leaders and public figures from entertainment, academia, literature, government, business, religion and civic life.”

It refers to accusations that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza as the “latest blood libel to be inflicted on the Jewish people,” and states that the signers “reject this accusation with contempt.” It urges the Jewish community to “unite in repudiating the lie of genocide.”

The letter claims that there’s no genocide in Gaza because of an alleged lack of intent on the part of the Israeli government. It adds, “In this war, only one side intended to commit genocide, and that is Hamas.”

In contrast, a wide range of organizations have concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, including:

In addition, the claims made by South Africa in its case accusing Israel of genocide before the International Court of Justice were found to be plausible, leading the judges to issue provisional measures against Israel and allow the case to proceed. No final verdict has been issued.

Here are the names and affiliations of Canadians/people in Canada who signed the letter denying the genocide in Gaza. They were included in this article if they’re Canadian by origin (born and/or raised in Canada) or are associated with a Canadian institution (such as working at a Canadian university).

The description of each person is taken directly from the open letter. The hyperlinks on the descriptions were added by The Maple.

This list is unlikely to be comprehensive given how many people have signed the letter and continue to do so, and that many other Canadians who deny genocide in Gaza haven’t signed it.

  1. Daphnée Azoulay — “Writer
  2. Emmanuelle Chriqui — “Actress
  3. Ezra Cipes — “Musician
  4. Irwin Cotler — “Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
  5. Rabbi Adam Cutler — “Senior Rabbi, Adath Israel Congregation – Toronto, ON
  6. David Freeman — “Professor of Economics, Simon Fraser University
  7. Ronald Gehr — “Professor, McGill University
  8. Linda Frum — “Former Senator of Canada; Chair, UN Watch
  9. Marc Gold — “Senator (retired)
  10. Alan Green — “Rabbi Emeritus, Congregation Shaarey Zedek of Winnipeg, Manitoba
  11. Haskel Greenfield — “Distinguished Professor, University of Manitoba
  12. Michael Greenspan — “Professor, Queen’s University
  13. Bob Ezrin — “Producer
  14. Danny Hakim — “Philanthropist, Azrieli foundation
  15. Jill Hoppenheim — “Producer, Bagg Street Productions
  16. Belle Jarniewski — “Executive Director, Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada / Manitoba Institute to Combat Antisemitism
  17. Tova Kardonne — “Composer
  18. Sharron Katz — “Musician/producer/author
  19. Lawrence J. Kaplan — “Professor, McGill University
  20. Warren Kinsella — “Author and former special assistant to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
  21. Robert Lantos — “Producer, Serendipity Point Films
  22. Dr. Karen Mock — “Psychologist(ret), Human Rights Consultant
  23. Dan Moskovitz — “Senior Rabbi, Temple Sholom
  24. Roland Moutal — “Professor, Vancouver Community College
  25. Hillel Neuer — “Executive Director, UN Watch
  26. Patrick Pakula — “Animator
  27. Stephen Quilley — “Professor, University of Waterloo (personal capacity)
  28. Selina Robinson — “Former British Columbia Minister of Finance and MLA
  29. Dan Russek — “Professor, University of Victoria
  30. David Shore — “Showrunner
  31. Olga Stein — “Adjunct Instructor of English Literature and Humanities, York University
  32. David Suissa — “Journalist
  33. Theresa Tova — “Actor Singer Wrter
  34. Dr. Gil Troy — “Historian, McGill University and Jewish People Policy Institute
  35. Arnie Zipursky — “Media (Film & TV Production) Executive