Danielle Smith shared link to antisemitic blog while writing about potential of global currency
CBC
On two occasions over the past year, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith included links in her newsletter to a blog that a Canadian Jewish Human Rights organization says is a known source of antisemitic tropes and racist conspiracy theories.
Her sharing of the blog's content was first reported by independent journalist Justin Ling.
In a statement Wednesday, a spokesperson with the premier's office said Smith condemned all expressions of antisemitism, adding "this hatred has no place in society."
In her April newsletter, Smith wrote about the possibility of a digital currency being used by central banks. She used a link from the blog while discussing SWIFT, the Belgian-based co-operative used by financial institutions around the world.
"Will it be good for us, tied as we are to the Americans?" Smith wrote at the time.
"I'm not sure yet, which is why I am following this closely. This article in the [blog site] believes the change signals the end of Western domination and that we are going to find ourselves isolated from the rest of the world."
On another occasion, she linked to the site while discussing what she regarded as misinformation online regarding the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
CBC News is not naming the blog so as to not further raise its profile.
The blog, which claims to publish "analytical works on matters of history, economics and social-political issues," frequently posts antisemitic content, like one published this past Sunday.
"I define Rothschild Zionism in its present incarnation, as the amalgamation of Wall Street (global Jewish banking mafia families) and the Israel Lobby, along with their affiliated organizations, agencies, think tanks, spy networks, corporations, and agents," the post reads.
Many of the lengthy blogs on the website aren't attributed to an author, while other blogs appear to be reposted.
A request for comment was returned by an unnamed individual associated with the blog who asked CBC News to dispute the claims present on its website. Labelling the blog as antisemitic was an attempt to shut down an "open discussion," the individual said.
Michael Mostyn, CEO of the Canadian Jewish human rights organization B'nai Brith Canada, said the blog was a known provider of antisemitic tropes and "wild conspiracy theories" by those who monitor it.
"This is not content that should have been shared, certainly by anybody who was also seeking higher office. But now that she is premier, I think she owes it to Albertans to distance herself from this blog," he said.
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