Israeli Ambassador Declares Canada a Global Hub of Antisemitism During Synagogue Visit
Israel's Ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, has starkly characterized the nation as "one of the centres of antisemitism globally" following a targeted shooting at a synagogue in Thornhill, Ontario. The ambassador made this declaration during a somber tour of the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto (BAYT) synagogue, which was struck by gunfire last week, marking the third Jewish house of worship attacked in the Toronto area within days.
A Dramatic Spike in Hostility Post-October 7
Ambassador Moed, who arrived in Canada in August 2023, noted that while he had observed a rising trend in antisemitism since his appointment, the situation escalated dramatically after the October 7 terror attacks on Israel. "It created a lot of concern in Israel. It drew the attention of the highest political levels in spite of the fact that we are, at the same time, busy with the war," Moed explained in an exclusive interview with the National Post. He emphasized that this surge has compelled Israeli authorities to monitor Canada much more closely as a focal point of global antisemitism.
Synagogue Leaders Detail the Attack and Its Implications
During the visit, Moed was guided by Rabbi Daniel Korobkin and synagogue president Yaakov Adatto, who shared the growing anxieties of their congregants. The front doors of BAYT remained shattered from the gunfire, with a cold morning breeze filtering through the building. Yellow police markers highlighted ten bullet holes in the broken glass. Ambassador Moed compared the assault to an 'organized crime' hit, intended to intimidate Canadian Jews and send a chilling signal across the community.
Rabbi Korobkin echoed this sentiment, urging national leaders to take decisive action. "What our message needs to be to our leaders is that if nothing is done, then you're sending a message: 'They can go ahead and go to the next level,'" he stated. Adatto reinforced this point by invoking the broken windows theory, warning that failing to address such crimes could lead to increased lawlessness and further endanger Jewish communities.
Community Response and Concerns Over Emigration
The leaders also discussed a noticeable wave of Canadian Jews relocating to Israel, known as making aliyah, within their congregation. Rabbi Korobkin revealed plans to emigrate in 2027 to lead a congregation in Jerusalem, while Adatto mentioned his parents had recently moved to the Israeli capital. While Moed expressed encouragement at these moves, he stressed that advocating for the safety and rights of Canadian Jews at home remains a critical priority.
Adatto voiced a grave comparison near the tour's end, stating, "We don't want this to become France," referencing the significant exodus of French Jews due to high levels of antisemitism, which has worsened since October 7. Since 2000, over a tenth of France's Jewish community has left, many for Israel, highlighting the urgent need for intervention in Canada to prevent a similar trajectory.
