Hate-Motivated Arson Targets Christian Ally of Toronto’s Jewish Community on October 7 Anniversary Toronto, ON—October 7, 2026—The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and @UJAFederation issued the following joint statement today in response to a hate-motivated arson attack targeting Israeli flags at Faith International Christian Centre in North York, on the third anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel: "Today, on the third anniversary of October 7—the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust—Toronto’s Jewish community woke up to news that Israeli flags had been burned in a hate-motivated arson attack at a Christian institution. "Faith International Christian Centre has stood with the Jewish community and with Israel. To see that solidarity answered with fire is a disturbing reminder that hatred does not stop with Jews. Increasingly, those who stand beside us are being targeted too. "Burning Israeli flags outside a church is not simply an act of property destruction. It is an attack on people who had the courage to stand with their Jewish neighbours, and it reflects the broader radicalization Canada’s security agencies have repeatedly warned about — where lies, conspiracy theories, and hatred directed at Jews and Israelis can escalate into intimidation, violence, and terror. "We are deeply grateful to the Faith International Christian Centre and congregation for their friendship and solidarity, especially at a time when standing with the Jewish community can itself make people a target. "Today should be a day of remembrance — for the nearly 1,200 people murdered on October 7, 2023, for those taken hostage, and for the families and communities forever changed by that day. Instead, here in Toronto, we are once again confronting hatred directed not only at Jews, but at those who refuse to abandon us. "That should alarm every Canadian. When simply standing with the Jewish community carries a cost—when allies are intimidated, threatened, or attacked because they refuse to turn away—this is no longer only a Jewish problem. It is a threat to the kind of country we all want Canada to be. "We call on leaders at every level of government to condemn this attack unequivocally, to recognize the growing cost being imposed on those who stand with the Jewish community, and to confront the extremism that is making intimidation and violence increasingly commonplace." You can read the full release here: cija.ca/hate_motivated_arson

On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists murdered more than 1,200 people and took 250 innocent Israelis hostage, while committing widespread sexual violence. Among those murdered were eight Canadians. They were daughters and sons, mothers and friends. They were deeply loved, and three years later, their absence is still felt every day. Today, we remember the lives they lived and honour their memory, alongside all those murdered on October 7. Learn their stories: jewishcanada.org/israel-stor… May their memories be for a blessing.

CIJA and @UJAFederation of Greater Toronto Stand with the Jewish Community of Belleville: Less than two weeks after the Jewish community in Belleville endured the trauma of an attack against congregants gathering to pray on the eve of Yom Kippur, antisemitic flyers are reportedly being distributed in the city. This is more than hateful rhetoric. Libels and conspiracies about Jews and Israelis are fueling hate and violence against Canadians. Canada's security services have sounded the alarm of the current situation in which acts of antisemitism become so prevalent and frequent that they create an environment that influence extremists toward more violent pathways. We are grateful for the quick response by the Belleville Police Service in responding to this troubling development. Jewish Canadians are owed the basic standards that all Canadians deserve: to live, worship and participate in their communities without fear.

Canadians are waking up to deeply troubling reports of a potentially catastrophic attack against Israeli civilians, with brave passengers on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv preventing a far more deadly outcome. As we approach the three-year anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 terrorist attack—the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust—we are reminded of the serious threats facing innocent civilians worldwide, including here in Canada. In just the past week and a half, Canadians have witnessed an escalation in frequency and severity of plots, attacks and threats, including an ISIS-inspired chemical weapons plot in Quebec and the attack on the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville that, if not for the heroism of Constables Smith and McCurdy, would have been a mass-casualty incident. We urge the Canadian government to unequivocally condemn attacks targeting Israeli civilians and call on all levels of government to take concrete action to protect Canadians from the escalating threats of violent extremism and terrorism.

(2/2) Canada is at a precipice – one step closer to the tragedies witnessed in Bondi Beach, Manchester and Boulder – and our leaders must take urgent and concrete actions before it is too late: 1. Enforce the law and hold criminals accountable We strongly support Justice Minister Sean Fraser’s call to convene provincial and territorial Public Safety Ministers and Attorneys General to establish a coordinated plan to enforce existing and new hate laws. This meeting must be held without further delay. 2. Ensure vulnerable communities have the resources to protect themselves Urgently implement vital reforms to maximize the impact of the Canada Community Security Program are implemented with urgency, to ensure community institutions can access every tool necessary. 3. Confront the drivers of rising extremism Governments must confront extremist ideologies, organizations and foreign state actors that promote, finance or facilitate violence in Canada, including the documented threat posed by Iran and its proxies. Government policies and rhetoric targeting Israel do not occur in a vacuum. Leaders must heed warnings by Canadian security officials and experts about extremists using conspiracy theories about Jews and criticism of Israeli policies to fuel radicalization, antisemitism and violence. Constable Smith and Constable McCurdy stepped forward when it mattered most. Our political leaders must do the same.

(1/2) Belleville Police Announce Attack Against Sons of Jacob Synagogue as Hate Crime Targeting the Jewish Community Today, authorities confirmed that the attack against Belleville’s Sons of Jacob Synagogue was a hate crime targeting the Jewish community. In response, Noah Shack, @nshack CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, issued the following statement: If not for the extraordinary bravery of Constable Jeff Smith, Canadians would have experienced the type of mass-casualty terror attack our security services have warned is a realistic possibility. We continue to pray for his full and speedy recovery. Today, Belleville Police released the name of a second officer that deserves our unending thanks. Constable Michael McCurdy quickly responded to shooting attack and saved countless lives. Constable Smith and Constable McCurdy’s heroism represent the very best of Canada. Their courage must now serve as a rallying call to elected officials at every level of government and to Canadians across the country to confront this growing threat to our national security and way of life. Police confirmed that this was a deliberate attack targeting members of the Jewish community and released video footage of the attacker stating, “You’re going to die for the Jews,” before the shooting began. Federal threat assessments have warned that “over the longer term, an environment in which the targeting of the Jewish community as a group frequently occurs and becomes more normalized will likely influence some susceptible individuals towards violent extremist pathways.” Extremists, like the gunman in Belleville, are being radicalized by conspiracy theories and libels about Jews to target Canadians.

Constable Jeff Smith put his life on the line protecting members of Belleville’s Jewish community as they gathered for Yom Kippur. Constable Smith represents the very best of Canada. When members of our community were in danger, he acted with courage and put himself in harm’s way to protect others. Constable Smith stood with us. Now it’s our turn to stand with him. Take a moment to thank him for his bravery and sacrifice, and support the fund for his recovery: 💙 Send a thank you: jewishtoronto.com/gratitude-… 💙 Donate: jewishcanada.org/belleville-… Our community is praying for his refuah shlemah — a full and speedy recovery.

JEWISH COMMUNITY GROUPS WELCOME ONTARIO ACTION TO HOLD UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES ACCOUNTABLE In response to the Government of Ontario’s announcement of new directives to strengthen accountability at Ontario universities under Bill 166, @HillelOntario , the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), the @CanadianFSWC , @UJAFederation , the Network of Engaged Canadian Academics, @AlliedVoicesIL , and @StandWithUsCA released the following joint statement: “The Ontario government has introduced new requirements to strengthen how colleges and universities respond to hate and discrimination on campus — including minimum requirements for policies and rules, clearer complaint processes including ensuring that regardless where complaints are submitted they are referred through the complaint’s mechanism process, anti-hate training, and new consequences for institutions that fail to comply. "At Toronto Metropolitan University, Justice Benotto found that existing policies were too often not enforced “consistently and decisively.” These new measures reinforce a simple principle: institutions must not only have rules, they must enforce them. "We have consistently called for stronger accountability and meaningful consequences when institutions fail to protect students or enforce their own policies. "As Jewish students face harassment, exclusion and discrimination on campuses across Ontario, including through antizionist behaviour, policies cannot exist only on paper. Institutions must act — and there must be consequences when they fail to do so. "This is an important step forward by the Ontario government toward ensuring universities are accountable for providing safe and welcoming campuses for all students and staff." Read more details: ontario.ca/page/ministers-di…?