On September 29, HRCCO held an engaging webinar on the toxic environment of social media antisemitism, effective online advocacy for Jews and their allies, and how these skills and concerns apply to the Canadian context.
 
Social media has been a major vehicle of contemporary antisemitism since its emergence, but things took a dramatic turn after Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the resulting regional tensions. Not only have ancient antisemitic tropes been recycled and amplified, but the rapid, unyielding spread of both mis- and disinformation has contributed to false, inflammatory beliefs about Jews, Israel, and the Middle East, more broadly. The consequences of this online reality in the real world are undeniable.
 
These challenges are being met head-on by advocates like our guest, Nick Matau, who has grown a prominent online platform debating anti-Israel advocates and influencers over 5 years. Fortified by his experience as a 12-year Navy veteran and nuclear engineer, under the moniker of “Nicholas the Zionist,” Nick has exemplified the art of debate by facing some of the most notable proponents of anti-Israel and antisemitic beliefs. As a non-Jewish ally, Nick has become one of the most influential online debaters in this space.
 
The conversation was moderated by Anastasia Zorchinsky, a prominent student leader at Concordia University, dedicated advocate, and co-founder of StartUp Nation Montreal. She has earned widespread recognition for defending Jewish student rights, securing campus safety, and upholding civil liberties via strategic political advocacy, targeted legal action, and impactful community leadership.
 
Antisemitism is no longer “rising”: it is here, across our institutions and in the online world. How can we effectively combat it in an era of rapid information and hyper-connectivity, and how can Canadians — Jewish and non-Jewish alike — act against it? What are the key rhetorical and informational tools we can use to counter misinformation, and when might online education merely act as a conduit for amplifying antisemitic content?
 
These questions, and many more, will be explored in our upcoming webinar, in the hopes of educating Canadians about antisemitism and misinformation, both online and across sectors of Canadian civil life.