Radio-Canada, the French-language arm of Canada’s national broadcaster, has suspended journalist Élisa Serret after she made blatantly antisemitic comments during a live segment, claiming that Jews control American politics, Hollywood, and major cities. The remarks, aired on Monday, provoked immediate backlash from viewers, politicians, and Jewish organisations, reports The Jerusalem Post.
Serret stated in French that the United States cannot detach itself from Israel because „the Israelis, in fact the Jews, finance a lot of American politics.” She continued, „The big cities are run by Jews… Hollywood is run by the Jews.”
The next day, Radio-Canada announced her suspension and issued a formal apology, calling her remarks „stereotypical, antisemitic, erroneous,” and accusing her of spreading „prejudicial allegations against Jewish communities.”
The broadcaster added: “These unacceptable comments violate Radio-Canada’s journalistic standards and practices and in no way reflect the opinion of the public broadcaster… We sincerely apologise to the Jewish community.”
Federal officials were swift in their condemnation. Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault said: „When antisemitic language is used by journalists, or anyone in a position of trust, it risks normalising hatred in deeply dangerous ways.”
Deputy opposition leader MP Melissa Lantsman called for Serret’s immediate dismissal, writing on X: „Overt antisemitism on TV is part of the deep systemic rot corroding our society… it flourishes when tax-funded institutions provide it with a platform.”
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, who represents the heavily Jewish Mount Royal riding, said the suspension and apology were welcome, but demanded Radio-Canada explain what would be done to prevent similar incidents.
B’nai Brith Canada called on CBC/Radio-Canada to undertake a comprehensive review of its editorial policies, including identifying the staff responsible, assessing why editorial controls failed, and ensuring an on-air apology is made. „No effort was made by the host to correct, contextualise, or cut off the speaker,” the group noted in a letter to the broadcaster’s ombudsperson.
Eta Yudin, Vice President of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) Quebec, said the episode was symptomatic of a broader permissive culture that enables antisemitism: „Antisemitism is corroding the fabric of our society. Its persistence is made possible by the very environment that enables it.”
„We expect Canada’s national public broadcaster to recognise this reality and take concrete steps to ensure such comments – and the systemic issues that enabled them – are never allowed again.”
Photo credit: SCREENSHOT/X
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