Three synagogues in the Toronto area were hit by gunfire over the span of several days in early March 2026, marking a disturbing increase in antisemitic attacks in Canada. No injuries were reported in these incidents, but the attacks have intensified calls for concrete action from Prime Minister Mark Carney beyond verbal condemnations.
Government and Community Reactions to Attacks
Prime Minister Carney condemned the attacks on X (formerly Twitter), stating they “violate the right of Canadian Jewish men and women to live and pray in complete safety” and represent “a serious assault on the way of life of all Canadians.” However, Conservative MP Roman Baber criticized Carney and other Liberal politicians, accusing them of “adding fuel to the fire of Jew hatred” and linking Carney’s recognition of the Palestinian state to an increase in antisemitism.
In response to a heckler’s claim of genocide in Gaza during a 2025 campaign event, Carney said he did not hear the term “genocide” but acknowledged the situation by supporting an arms embargo. Baber asserted that Carney’s recognition of Palestine “rewarded the brutality of Hamas,” a claim Carney refuted by emphasizing his support for peaceful coexistence and Israel’s security.
Rising Antisemitism and Security Advisories
Canada has experienced a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The League for Human Rights B’nai Brith Canada reported 6,219 antisemitic incidents in 2024 alone, averaging 17 incidents per day—more than double the rate in 2022.
Public Safety Canada noted that between April and June 2025, 69% of hate crimes targeting religion were directed at the Jewish community. In light of these developments, Israel’s National Security Council issued advisories urging Israeli citizens abroad to exercise caution, suggesting they conceal Jewish and Israeli identifiers and avoid known Jewish sites.
Calls for Justice and Broader Implications
The watchdog group StopAntisemitism condemned the attacks as attempts to intimidate the Jewish community, urging that perpetrators be prosecuted fully to ensure justice and deterrence. Israeli President Isaac Herzog publicly called on Canada to halt the “unprecedented wave of Jew-hatred” that has escalated since October 2023.
The attacks and subsequent political debate underscore ongoing security concerns for Jewish communities in Canada as antisemitism rises amidst geopolitical tensions involving Israel and Palestine.
For more stories on this topic, visit our category page.
