OTTAWA – Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, the U.S. special envoy for combating antisemitism, has urged the Canadian government to take more decisive action against the rising tide of anti-Jewish sentiments in the country. His visit to Ottawa comes against the backdrop of alarming increases in hate crimes targeting Jews, with Canadian police reporting 788 incidents in 2025, significantly up from 492 in 2021.
During his recent visit, Kaploun expressed concern about the frequency of incidents affecting Jewish schools, businesses, and temples, including two Jewish-owned bakeries attacked by gunfire and a fire that severely damaged a kosher restaurant in Montreal, which is being investigated as an arson case.
“The levels of hate in Canada are unbelievably high," Kaploun stated, drawing attention to the muted public response to these violence incidents. His office has reportedly received numerous calls from Canadian citizens expressing that they feel unsafe. Kaploun reflected on his childhood in Ottawa, lamenting that the inclusiveness he experienced no longer exists, stating, “You don’t see that today, anymore.”
Despite the worrying rise in antisemitism, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office responded with plans to counter such attacks through tougher laws and community safety investments. Spokeswoman Renée LeBlanc Proctor emphasized the government’s commitment to creating an environment where Jewish Canadians can live freely and with dignity.
However, Kaploun compared the growing antisemitism in Canada to the year Adolf Hitler established the Third Reich, insisting that current levels of hatred are rivaling those in 1933 Germany. He argued for immediate actions, including utilizing terrorism listings and visa revocations to prevent groups seeking to incite discord, indicating that Iran proxies should be targeted. He also suggested punishing universities that foster environments where Jewish students feel unsafe.
On the topic of freedom of speech, Kaploun asserted that while it is a fundamental right, it should not infringe upon the religious freedoms of Jewish individuals. He acknowledged the role of online hate speech but refrained from addressing the responsibilities of American tech giants like Elon Musk in this regard, although he did claim that the X (formerly Twitter) platform has made strides in combating antisemitism under Musk’s leadership.
In addition to the call for stronger measures against hate crimes, Kaploun criticized the Carney government for dissolving the special envoy position on antisemitism, replacing it with a more general council on inclusion. He believes that the current council members exhibit biases that can hinder the pursuit of initiatives aimed at protecting the Jewish community. He pointed out potential conflicts of interest, claiming that some members had participated in pro-Palestinian rallies.
Kaploun’s concerns highlight a significant rift between the perceived effectiveness of government action in Canada and the urgent need for more robust measures to combat antisemitism. While the Canadian government insists on fostering social cohesion through the new council, Kaploun warns that a more tailored and proactive approach is necessary to address the specific threats faced by Jewish Canadians today.
