Tuesday marks the second anniversary of the October 7 massacre, which is recognized as the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust and the worst terrorist attack since September 11, 2001. For many Canadian Jews, the day was marked by personal loss, as some lost friends and family. However, the aftermath brought a troubling rise in antisemitism that compounded their grief.

On that day, Hamas terrorists attacked southern Israel, resulting in horrific violence against civilians. Reports described scenes of brutality, including the killing of parents in front of their children and the abduction of Holocaust survivors. In Canada, protests erupted in cities from Vancouver to Montreal, but rather than condemning the violence, some demonstrators celebrated it. Over the following months, these protests intensified, often featuring calls for violence against Jews.

The Jewish community in Canada faced increased hostility, with synagogues, schools, and businesses targeted by vandalism and arson. Individuals were attacked, and protests were held in neighborhoods with significant Jewish populations. This surge in antisemitism was not merely a fringe movement; it was supported by elements within the Canadian academic community, which had long fostered anti-Israel sentiment. Some professors openly endorsed Palestinian resistance and encouraged student protests against Israel.

A report indicated that a protest encampment at the University of Toronto received backing from 153 professors, with some actively participating. As antisemitic incidents rose, then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's response was criticized for lacking urgency. He acknowledged the rise in antisemitism but often paired it with comments about Islamophobia, suggesting an equivalence that many found inappropriate given the statistics.

Statistics Canada reported that in 2023, Jews were victims of 70 percent of all religiously motivated hate crimes, despite making up about one percent of the population. In contrast, Muslims, who represent approximately 4.5 percent of the population, accounted for 16 percent of such crimes. Polls indicated a significant misunderstanding among Canadians regarding the levels of hate faced by these communities.

The government's response to the rising antisemitism has been scrutinized, particularly in light of Canada’s changing demographics. Since Trudeau took office, immigration from regions with high antisemitism rates has increased significantly. Between 2015 and 2024, the number of permanent residents from the West Bank, Gaza, and Lebanon nearly doubled, while immigration from Algeria, Turkey, and Tunisia saw substantial increases.

The Anti-Defamation League's Global 100 index highlights that a vast majority of people in the Palestinian territories hold antisemitic views. In contrast, Canada has a much lower antisemitism score. Following the 2021 census, Statistics Canada noted a doubling of the Muslim population over the past two decades, which has created a powerful voting bloc.

Critics argue that the federal government has failed to adequately condemn the violence and hatred in Canadian streets. While the government cannot dictate police actions, it can provide guidance on enforcing laws against unlawful protests. The response to protests has varied significantly, with a hands-off approach to Indigenous blockades in 2020, while a strong crackdown occurred during the right-wing Freedom Convoy protests in 2022.

In the immediate future, there are calls for police to be assured they will not face political backlash for enforcing the law during protests. Long-term solutions may include stricter immigration policies to prevent individuals with antisemitic views from entering Canada and reevaluating funding for research that promotes anti-Israel sentiment.