OTTAWA — Following a tragic mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia, a Jewish organization in Canada is urging all levels of government to take immediate action to protect communities across the nation. Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, emphasized the urgency of the situation in an interview with The Canadian Press.
Shack expressed that while thoughts and prayers may provide temporary solace after such tragedies, concrete action is necessary to prevent similar incidents from occurring in Canada. He remarked, “Thoughts and prayers can provide some comfort in the moment after a tragedy, but we need action to ensure that that same tragedy doesn’t play out here in Canada.”
The mass shooting that occurred over the weekend on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, resulted in at least 15 fatalities and left over 38 individuals wounded. Police identified the attack as being carried out by a father-son duo, leading to significant chaos at the Hanukkah event. Officer intervention resulted in the death of the 50-year-old father at the scene, while his 24-year-old son was hospitalized and subsequently charged with 59 offenses, including murder and committing a terrorist act.
Despite the alarming situation, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) reported on Monday that there is currently no specific threat identified against Canada. However, they warned of the "realistic possibility" of extremist attacks targeting Jewish communities within the country. An intelligence brief from CSIS indicated that holiday events like Hanukkah celebrations could be seen as aspirational targets for violent extremists aiming to attack Western interests and specific religious communities.
CSIS noted, “There is no current information indicating a specific threat targeting 2025 holiday events, including against Hanukkah celebrations, in Canada by threat actors or transnational violent extremist groups.” Nevertheless, various Canadian police forces are planning to increase their presence in Jewish neighborhoods as a precautionary measure.
In light of the recent violence, Shack is calling for the enforcement of existing laws to combat the persistent harassment and intimidation faced by Jewish Canadians. He stated, “Police and prosecutors have to be empowered and instructed to hold perpetrators accountable, and any structural policy or legislative impediments need to be addressed while, of course, protecting our fundamental freedoms.” Shack highlighted that lax enforcement could undermine both safety and trust in the justice system.
Moreover, he urged that enhancing community security should be a priority for governments, which involves optimizing government security grants and allocating more police and intelligence resources to protect Jewish communities. Shack also underscored the need for significant efforts to counter terrorism and radicalization, emphasizing that the glorification of terrorist organizations must be curtailed.
Shack pointed out the alarming rise in violence and antisemitic hate incidents in Canada in recent years. Instances include firebombings at synagogues in Vancouver and Montreal, defacement of the National Holocaust Monument, and a stabbing incident involving a woman in a kosher grocery store. Additionally, in Toronto, a Jewish girls’ school was reportedly shot at three times in 2024.
In response to the situation, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree stated on social media that he held meetings with Jewish community leaders, Members of Parliament, and high-ranking officials from the RCMP, CSIS, and the Canada Border Services Agency. He asserted, “Today’s meeting was crucial to reassure the community that this Government will always support and stand with Jewish communities across Canada.”
Moreover, Liberal MP for Mount Royal, Anthony Housefather, commented on the necessity for local police to enforce the law effectively when Jewish communities are targeted. Shack concluded that committed leadership is essential at all government levels to keep Canadians safe from violence.
Shack reflected on the current atmosphere, stating, “This is a scary time for Jewish people in Canada,” and emphasized that the threat is not limited to the Jewish community but represents an “assault on Canadian values” that endangers everyone’s safety and security. He warned that the international Jewish community had previously raised alarms about rising antisemitism, and the failure to heed these warnings could have devastating consequences.
