Canada, We Have an Antisemitism Problem
We must condemn the antisemitic attack on the Belleville synagogue and act to stop it from repeating
By Majed El Shafie
A synagogue was attacked yesterday in Belleville, Ontario. As congregants gathered last night for the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, a gunman arrived on site with the clear intention to attack this place of worship and the people gathered inside for Yom Kippur.
Thanks to the bravery of a police officer stationed onsite to protect Belleville’s Jewish community gathering that night, the shooter was disarmed after a firefight with the officer on guard and the support that quickly arrived to stop the attacker.
Today, One Free World International and all our members stand with the Jewish community and condemn this an attack. Today we are praying for the wounded police officer whose bravery prevented an even greater atrocity from taking place. Tomorrow, we must demand better and act to make it happen.
The escalating threats, intimidation, and physical attacks and intimidation on Jewish community institutions over the past few years demands we be honest about the unfettered antisemitism that is boiling over in communities large and small across Canada.
We as Canadians cannot look to blame war in the Middle East for the problem. We cannot let our fellow Canadians from the Jewish community be turned into scapegoats as antisemites blame Jews for their problems, Canada’s problems, and the world’s problems.
If one community has their existence threatened, and is unable to enjoy the full promise of Canadian freedoms, then it is our duty to speak out and act to stop it. Grand pronouncements today and in the days ahead, without sustained actions to prevent it from happening again, is not an act of solidarity. They are hollow platitudes.
We must ask political leaders and law enforcement what they are going to do to stop the rise of antisemitism.
We must ask political leaders and law enforcement how they are going to ensure Jewish Canadians can enjoy their rights and freedoms, free from persistent threats and attacks.
We must ask political leaders and law enforcement what they are going to do to stop the rise of antisemitism.
We must ask political leaders and law enforcement when they will increase efforts and take action that restores safety for Jewish Canadians all across Canada.
And we must be brave to call out antisemitism when we see it in our own lives. Speak out when you hear people peddling antisemitic tropes. Speak out when you hear someone lame Canadians who are Jewish for the actions of a foreign government in a far away land. Speak up and let Jewish Canadians know you are allied with them as we work together to renew the Canadian promise that gives true meaning to the saying that Canada has no tolerance for antisemitism.
Canada will once again be united and we will not allow anyone to divide us with hateful actions.