In the wake of the deadly shooting attack at Bondi Beach in Australia, a prominent Canadian voice is issuing a stark warning: Canada must act decisively to prevent a similar tragedy on its own soil. Avi Benlolo, a leading advocate and educator on Holocaust remembrance, argues that the conditions for violence against Jewish communities in Canada are alarmingly present and demand immediate government intervention.
The Echoes of History and a Call for Vigilance
Benlolo draws a direct line from historical atrocities to contemporary threats. He frequently escorts Canadian leaders to Auschwitz, where the haunting question of "How could this happen?" always arises. His answer is unequivocal: it occurred because people chose to look away. He warns that the same pattern of silence in the face of escalating antisemitism—from attacks on synagogues to the public display of extremist symbols—is repeating itself today.
The recent Bondi Beach massacre on December 14, 2025, where 15 Jewish individuals were killed by Islamist attackers, serves as a horrific case study. Benlolo notes that this violence followed two years of pro-Hamas demonstrations and attacks targeting Jewish Australians. He asserts that Canada is on a parallel path, making the nation's inaction a critical danger.
Canada's Alarming Reality: A Surge in Hate and Violence
The situation in Canada, according to Benlolo, mirrors the prelude to violence seen elsewhere. He points to a disturbing escalation since the October 7 attacks:
- Synagogues have been firebombed and vandalized.
- Gunshots have been fired at Jewish schools.
- The country has witnessed more antisemitic demonstrations in a few months than in its previous 158 years.
- Extremist ideologies have infiltrated unions, schools, and universities.
Benlolo cites Statistics Canada and police data confirming an extreme surge in hate-motivated crimes against Jewish communities from coast to coast. He also raises concerns about foreign entities, including the IRGC and Hamas, being suspected of operating within Canada, further destabilizing the security landscape.
An Urgent Appeal to Leadership and Public Consciousness
In a direct letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Benlolo framed the Bondi attack as "Canada's Bondi moment." He appealed to the government's pragmatism, insisting there is still a window to stop the "obvious and predictable attack" that is bound to happen. He criticizes what he sees as ineffective policies, arguing that Canada's support for a Palestinian state and continued funding of UNRWA—an agency accused of staff involvement in the October 7 attacks—have not appeased demonstrators but instead emboldened them.
Ultimately, Benlolo's message is a dual call to action. He urges the federal government to prioritize the physical safety of Jewish citizens through concrete security measures and policy reviews. Simultaneously, he calls on the Canadian public to break the cycle of looking away, to recognize the threat posed by public displays of extremism, and to stand in solidarity before violence erupts. The lesson from Bondi and history, he concludes, is that complacency is the greatest enabler of tragedy.
