'Jews control US politics, Hollywood, big cities,' Canadian reporter says on live broadcastRadio-Canada suspended a reporter and issued an apology after she made controversial on-air remarks about Jewish influence in US politics.
 Journalist Élisa Serret.(photo credit: SCREENSHOT/X)By MICHAEL STARRSEPTEMBER 17, 2025 12:55Updated: SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 18:17After on-air statements in which a French-language Radio- Canada reporter made statements about Jews controlling different aspects of society and countries, the national broadcaster apologized and suspended the journalist.
Journalist Élisa Serret explained in a Monday French-language segment that the US could not detach itself from its positions on Israel because “the Israelis, in fact the Jews, finance a lot of American politics.”
“The big cities are run by Jews,” said Serret, speaking of broader infrastructure in which Jewish control was supposedly exerted. “Hollywood is run by the Jews.”
Radio-Canada suspended Serret, it announced the next day, relieving her of journalistic duties until further notice. The broadcaster decried her analysis of American Middle East policy as “ stereotypical, antisemitic, erroneous,” which included “prejudicial allegations against Jewish communities.
“These unacceptable comments violate Radio-Canada’s journalistic standards and practices and in no way reflect the opinion of the public broadcaster,” the broadcaster said on Tuesday.
We recognize that these comments have offended many viewers. We sincerely apologize to them and to the Jewish community.”
“CBC/Radio-Canada belongs to all Canadians, and as leaders, we have a responsibility to hold it to account and demand the highest standards of journalism,” said Guilbeault. “When antisemitic language is used by journalists, or anyone in a position of trust, it risks normalizing hatred in deeply dangerous ways.”
Deputy Leader of the Opposition MP Melissa Lantsman said apologies and excuses were not enough, and that Serret should be fired rather than paid with tax dollars.
“Overt antisemitism on TV is part of the deep systemic rot corroding our society, and it flourishes when tax-funded institutions provide it with a platform,” said Lantsman on X/Twitter.
Liberal Mount Royal MP Anthony Housefather said on social media that the suspension and apology were positive developments but also called for Radio-Canada to explain how it would prevent such an occurrence from happening again.
B’nai Brith Canada called for CBC/Radio-Canada to conduct a full review of its editorial policies, including identifying the editorial and production staff responsible, clarifying why its standards failed and what corrective measures would be taken, and issuing an on-air apology.
“No effort was made by the host to correct, contextualize, or cut off the speaker,” the organization wrote on Tuesday in a letter to the CBC’s ombudsperson.
Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs Quebec Vice President Eta Yudin said the incident required “serious internal reflection on the damage such hateful rhetoric inflicts on our democratic values.
“Antisemitism is corroding the fabric of our society. Its persistence is made possible by the very environment that enables it,” said Yudin.
“We expect Canada’s national public broadcaster to recognize this reality and to take concrete steps to ensure that neither such comments – nor the systemic issues that enabled them to be aired – are ever allowed again on Canadian airwaves.”
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