Tasha Kheiriddin: Antisemitic terrorism is a national emergency. Carney needs to act like it

ullet holes mark the front doors and windows of Jewish Temple Emanu-El in Toronto, Tuesday March 3, 2026. Photo by Peter J. Thompson/National Post

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When does hate become terrorism? Answer: when it is orchestrated, repeatedly, to sow fear, cause chaos, and undermine society. One hateful act can be the work of a vengeful madman; a series of hateful acts, against the same community, conducted in a similar manner, constitute terrorism.

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That is what Jews in Canada face today. Since October 7, 2023, B’nai Brith Canada has documented nearly 5,800 total incidents in 2023 and a record 6,800 incidents throughout 2025. By today’s stats, that’s one hate crime for every 487 Jewish residents. Jews are 22 times more likely to be the victim of a hate crime than non-Jewish Canadians

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Take that in for a moment.

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Jewish businesses, places of worship and schools have been shot at and vandalized. Jewish seniors’ homes, some of whom house Holocaust survivors, have been picketed by protesters chanting “So not negotiate with Israel, except with the gun” and “Go back to Europe.” Many Jews no longer feel safe in their neighbourhoods or even walking down Main Street.

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And the apparent terrorists are getting bolder. Last week, two Jewish-owned businesses were attacked: two locations of Kiva’s Bagel Bar in Toronto were sprayed with gunfire, while Nöam restaurant in Montreal was burned to the ground. Diners at Kiva’s will look over their shoulder; patrons of Nöam can no longer eat there. Their daily lives are now singed with terror — which is exactly what the perpetrators of antisemitic crime want.

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The violence demands a proportional response from lawmakers and law enforcement. But so far, Canada hasn’t had one.

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Instead, the federal government treats antisemitism as hate-motivated crime, addressing it through legislative changes like the Combatting Hate Act, community security funding and the listing of specific violent groups as terrorist entities. After the Senate Committee on Human Rights issued a report recommending that the federal government create a task force on antisemitism, Ottawa instead launched the Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion — an umbrella group for all faiths, despite the fact that 71 per cent of faith-based hate crimes are directed against Jews.

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As I have written previously, this response is wholly inadequate. Terrorism is not mere hate. Its scope and scale are much greater. And in Canada’s case, it is international.

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In May 2026, U.S. federal prosecutors in New York charged 32-year-old Iraqi national Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, linked to Kata’ib Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, with terrorism offences for attacks in Europe and Canada, including a March shooting at the American consulate in Toronto and a synagogue.

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On July 27, the same week as the attacks on Kiva’s and Nöam, a gunman again fired bullets at the U.S. consulate. The Conservatives are now demanding that the federal government list Kata’ib Hezbollah as a terrorist entity.

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That is the least Ottawa should do. To truly address this issue, it needs to go much further.

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Prime Minister Mark Carney must declare antisemitic terrorism a national emergency. He should stop lumping it in with other forms of hatred and send the message that terrorism will not be tolerated, full stop.

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The RCMP must create a dedicated national task force to deal with antisemitic terrorism. It should coordinate its efforts with foreign law enforcement to investigate and combat states and extremists working to destabilize Canada.