Two Toronto synagogues came under gunfire over the weekend. A few days prior, another synagogue was struck by approximately 20 gunshots during the Jewish holiday of Purim.
While no one was injured in the three attacks, members of the Jewish community are pressing Prime Minister Mark Carney for tangible action—beyond the usual reassuring statements that have followed such antisemitic incidents.
Carney posted on X, stating that the “antisemitic and criminal attacks infringe upon the right of Canadian Jewish men and women to live and pray in full safety” and “constitute a severe attack on the way of life of all Canadians.”
Following the initial synagogue attack, Israel’s National Security Council advised Israelis abroad to “remain vigilant and follow safety protocols.” Their recommendations included “concealing Jewish and Israeli identifiers in public places,” being mindful of their environment “in areas linked to Israel or Judaism,” and “avoiding visits to sites marked as Jewish or Israeli.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote on X, “All eyes are on Canada: it is time to stop the unprecedented surge of Jew-hatred that has emerged since October 7th.”
Similar to many Western nations, Canada has experienced a significant increase in annual antisemitic incidents since the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on October 7, 2023. The League for Human Rights of B’nai Brith Canada reported 6,219 antisemitic incidents in Canada in 2024, averaging 17 incidents per day—more than double the eight daily incidents recorded in 2022.
Though 2025 data has not been released, Public Safety Canada noted that between April and June 2025, “Among religion-targeted hate crimes… the majority were directed at the Jewish community (69%).”
Conservative MP Roman Baber stated that the actions of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and other Canadian Liberal politicians have been “fanning the flames of Jew hatred in Canada.”
Baber leveled additional criticism at Carney, asserting, “When the Prime Minister, while on the campaign trail, claims he is aware of a genocide in Gaza, he is engaging in Jew hatred.”
Baber was referencing an April 2025 incident where a heckler shouted over a noisy crowd, “There is a genocide happening in Gaza.” Carney replied, “I’m aware, which is why we have an arms embargo.”
Carney later clarified that he did not hear the heckler use the word “genocide.”
Baber pointed out, “When the Prime Minister recognized the Palestinian state, he rewarded Hamas’ brutality—and he did so on the eve of Rosh Hashanah.”
In his announcement, issued the day before the Jewish holiday, Carney stated that recognizing “the State of Palestine, led by the Palestinian Authority, strengthens those working toward peaceful coexistence and the end of Hamas,” and “in no way legitimizes terrorism or serves as a reward for it.” He added that recognition “does not in any way undermine Canada’s unwavering support for the State of Israel, its people, and their security.”
Watchdog group StopAntisemitism told Digital, “Each day brings painful reminders that antisemitism remains a real and dangerous threat. Violent acts intended to intimidate or silence our community will fail. Proud, outspoken Jews will not let hatred or fear hinder our Jewish way of life or our presence in the world—whether in Canada, the United States, Europe, or certainly not in Israel.”
StopAntisemitism urged that the perpetrators “be punished to the full extent of the law to ensure justice is done and deterrence is clear.”