Escalation of Anti-Semitism Following October 7th Hamas Attack
On October 7, 2023, Hamas initiated an attack on Israel, leading to Israel’s retaliation and a surge in anti-Semitic incidents globally. In response, Israeli authorities advised Jews to refrain from displaying symbols that could identify their Jewish identity when travelling abroad. Similarly, Jewish leaders in nations promoting inclusivity and diversity have urged community members to avoid wearing such symbols in their own neighborhoods due to threats of violent attacks.
During my upbringing in Western Canada, we did not differentiate based on ethnic background or religious belief. Friendships depended on personality rather than prejudice. We believed we were progressing towards a future where racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination would be eradicated.
However, incidents like the following question our progress:
On November 6, 2023, an individual targeted Congregation Beth Tikvah in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, a Montreal suburb, with a Molotov cocktail attack. This overnight assault resulted in broken bottles and burn marks on the synagogue’s front door and the nearby Federation CJA building’s back door.
Fortunately, no injuries occurred, and the damage was minimal. As of the latest update, law enforcement has not apprehended any suspects. In response, Henry Topas, B’nai Brith’s Quebec regional director, expressed shock at the attack, demanding a thorough investigation and the arrest of those responsible.
Prime Minister Trudeau condemned the incident as “deeply disturbing” and reiterated the government’s commitment to combating anti-Semitism.
Recent incidents of antisemitism in Canada have indeed been concerning. In Montreal, two Jewish schools, the Talmud Torah elementary branch in Snowdon and the Yeshivah Gedolah closer to Outremont, were targeted when bullets were fired at their doors. The bullets were discovered on a Thursday morning, and fortunately, there was no significant damage, nor was anyone present at the time of the incidents.
A call for the eradication of all “Zionists” by a local Muslim religious leader has also been reported. These events point to a worrying escalation in violence against the Jewish community.
Further, In Toronto, there were reports of a possible hate crime at a Jewish high school. The police arrested three men who made threats at the Community Hebrew Academy in Toronto. In response to these threats, police have increased patrols in Jewish cultural centers and synagogues, as well as in Muslim mosques and other places of worship.
A Troubling Trend
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has sparked or perhaps uncovered anti-Semitism in Canada and around the globe. The aftermath of the Hamas attack on October 7th and Israel’s ferocious response has led to large pro-Palestine protests across the country and around the world. These protests often feature people shouting, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” This phrase is commonly used in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and typically refers to the geographical area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, which includes Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.
Many interpret this phrase as a call for the establishment of a Palestinian state in the entire area, including the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, in essence, to end the Israeli/Jewish state.
Additionally, people often refer to Israelis as “occupiers” or “colonialists,” disregarding the historical significance of the area as the original homeland of the Jewish people, as documented throughout history.
This year’s Remembrance Day ceremonies were particularly heart-wrenching, as they remind us of the values our military fought for, many of whom lost their lives in the battle. it is crucial to remember the Holocaust and the significance it holds. It was due to devastating anti-Semitism that the Jewish people were granted statehood in the first place. The Holocaust and the refusal of other countries to take in the fleeing Jewish population, which resulted in many deaths, forced Jews to seek safety with their brethren in the British protectorate of Palestine and after the war, re-establishment of Israel aimed to protect Jews from such persecution, yet we still witness its presence today. Have we learned nothing from the sacrifices of the past?
Anti-Semitism in Canada
Since the attack by Hamas, Canada has experienced an alarming increase in anti-Semitic incidents, some of which are detailed above. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged this troubling trend, but what has he and his government done? He was swift to condemn the Trucker’s Convoy, enacting the Emergencies Act which allowed him to make arrests, freeze bank accounts, and vehemently condemn participants and supporters. So why is he not going after these acts of terrorism with the same ferocity? Could this lacklustre response be why the UK government issued a travel advisory?
“Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Canada”
Incidents of Hate
Various incidents illustrate the fear and distress faced by Jewish communities worldwide. For instance, Jewish students at Cooper Union College in the United States found themselves fearing for their safety as protesters banged on library windows where they sought refuge.
London, UK, reported a series of alarming incidents, including threats of violence, hate speech, and the egregious case of vehicles adorned with Palestinian flags driving through Jewish neighbourhoods, shouting “kill Jews” and “rape their daughters”. Jewish children have also been targeted, leading to heightened security measures in synagogues and Jewish schools.
In Dagestan, Russia, pro-Palestinian protesters mobbed a flight arriving from Israel, spewing anti-Semitic slogans and demanding to know the whereabouts of Jewish passengers. The airport had to be shut down due to the disturbance, and Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, called for the protection of Israeli citizens and Jews worldwide.
The Anti-Defamation League has documented several incidents, such as attempted fire-bombings, vandalism, and hate speech across various countries. No country has been immune to this surge in anti-Semitic attacks, reflecting a global increase in hatred linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Public Responses
While governments have taken steps against the growing wave of anti-Semitism, officials have publicly condemned these acts of hatred, emphasizing the importance of protecting the rights and safety of all citizens; otherpublic figures have also weighed in on the subject.
Well-known author Douglas Murray, in an episode on Triggernometry, had this response to Britain’s tolerance and appeasement stance, he stated that “the Jews shouldn’t have to leave Britain for fear of their safety, but those that would make them fearful should leave.”
Rabbi Simon Jacobson and author Hasan Imam discussed a more nuanced and balanced approach. They encourage pro-Palestinian protesters to stop pulling down the posters of missing and murdered Israeli children and instead come together with Jews and hold those images up along with pictures of the injured and deceased Palestinian children. Hold up both Palestinian and Israeli flags. To come together in peace and goodwill would be the first step in finding peace in the Middle East. They also agreed, if Hamas would lay down their arms, return the hostages and give up their murderous pronouncements and actions toward Israel and the greater Jewish community, the war would be over in less than a minute. With a further contention that only this can lead to the region finding a peaceful co-existence.
Ultimately, these incidents remind us of the values that define us as an open and accepting society. Despite our diverse backgrounds, we must stand together against hatred and division. Our strength lies in our commitment to justice and the rule of law, and our compassion ensures that Canada and the Western World remain a beacon of hope at a turbulent time in our history.
