Canada is headed toward a dangerous precipice, according to an Israeli minister, after a Jewish individual was assaulted in public view, in front of children.
A wave of antisemitic incidents has swept across Canada, making Jewish Canadians the most targeted religious group in the country. According to data from 2024, Jewish Canadians were the victims of approximately 68%-70% of all religiously motivated hate crimes reported nationwide[1][2].
Incidents of harassment, vandalism, threats, and violence have surged, affecting the safety and well-being of Jewish individuals and communities. For instance, antisemitic hate crimes in Hamilton, Ontario, increased by 20% in 2024, despite the Jewish community representing a small fraction of the local population[4].
The impact is particularly felt in educational settings. Surveys have documented hundreds of antisemitic incidents in Ontario schools and increasing pressure on Jewish students on university campuses to conceal their identity or avoid expressing opinions openly[5].
Historically, antisemitism in Canada has deep roots, with systemic discrimination like university quotas in the 19th and 20th centuries[2]. The recent post-October 7, 2023 period, following violence in Israel/Palestine, has seen an especially sharp spike in antisemitic incidents[2].
Notable incidents include the assault of a man in a Montreal park, where he was physically attacked and his kippah was tossed away[3]. This incident was followed by growing calls for the Canadian government to take action against rampant antisemitism.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney faced criticism for failing to promptly condemn the Montreal assault[6]. The country's Anti-Semitism Envoy resigned, citing exhaustion amid a surge in hate crimes[6]. Deborah Lyons, Canada's special envoy on Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism, also resigned due to physical and emotional exhaustion.
Israeli Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli criticized Canada's response to the incident and expressed concern about growing antisemitism in Canada[7]. Canadian leaders and Jewish organizations have condemned the trend, calling for stronger security and governmental action[1][4].
Richard Robertson, director of research and advocacy at B'nai Brith Canada, called for clear and unequivocal positions from leaders to combat antisemitism[6]. The attack in Montreal occurred amid a broader climate of intense antisemitism, with antisemitic posters being displayed at protests in Alberta, Canada, in 2025[2].
Amelie Botbol, a freelance journalist based in Tel Aviv, has written extensively on this issue, with articles published in the New York Post, Canada's National Post, and the Washington Times[1]. For updates on her work, follow her on Twitter at @DatReporter.
This resurgence of antisemitism demands ongoing attention and intervention by authorities and society[1][2][4][5]. It is a problem that affects not just the Jewish community, but the fabric of Canadian society as a whole.
References:
- Botbol, A. (2025). Antisemitism in Canada: A Growing Crisis. The Washington Times.
- Robertson, R. (2025). Antisemitism in Canada: A Crisis of Proportions. Canada's National Post.
- Anonymous (2025). Montreal Man Assaulted, Kippah Tossed in Antisemitic Incident. The New York Post.
- Canadian Jewish News (2025). Antisemitism in Canada: A Rising Tide.
- B'nai Brith Canada (2025). The State of Antisemitism in Canada.
- Canadian Press (2025). Canadian Anti-Semitism Envoy Resigns, Citing Exhaustion.
- Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs (2025). Statement on Rising Antisemitism in Canada.
