Headlines

Synagogue Shooting in Ontario; Suspect Arrested for Online Threats
Deadliest Year for Diaspora Jews: J7 Task Force Reports 20 Murders, Urges UN Reform
Berlin Election Victory for Left Party Sparks Alarm Over Antisemitism Allegations

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Transcript

You're listening to Antisemitism Watch, I'm Rachel Adler.

We begin with grave incidents in Canada. Police have identified Sean Ward, 29, of Quinte West, Ontario, as the suspect in a shooting that occurred outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, during Yom Kippur. A police officer, Const. Jeff Smith, was wounded in the exchange of fire and was in critical but stable condition, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. In a related development, Canadian authorities arrested 19-year-old Alexander Parfitt on September 19th for allegedly posting threats on an online message board to commit a shooting attack at a synagogue in Durham Region. Parfitt faces "Threats Motivated by Hate" charges. Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that the Canadian government "will do everything in our power to support law enforcement in ensuring that the perpetrator is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law."

A stark new report highlights the scale of antisemitic violence. The J7 Large Communities’ Task Force Against Antisemitism, representing Jewish communities in Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, stated that 2025 was the deadliest year for antisemitic attacks in the Jewish diaspora in over 30 years. Their J7 Annual Report, released in July 2026, details 20 murders and over 23,000 antisemitic incidents in 2025, a 136 percent increase compared to 2022. The task force is calling on world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly to elect a Secretary-General committed to fighting antisemitism, to integrate the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism into the UN system, and to consider appointing a fully resourced Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism.

These statistics underscore the heightened security measures now commonplace for Jewish communities observing major holidays. The Anti-Defamation League recorded more than 6,200 antisemitic incidents across the United States in 2025, five times the number recorded a decade earlier. In Charlotte, North Carolina, congregants at Temple Israel observed Yom Kippur with additional security, including metal detectors, a reflection of what Rabbi Michael Wolk called "a fact of life and an absolute tragedy."

In Germany, the far-left Left Party, Die Linke, secured a victory in Berlin's state elections, taking 25.7% of the vote. However, the win has been overshadowed by renewed accusations of antisemitism within the party's ranks. Central Council of Jews in Germany President Josef Schuster expressed concern over campaign rhetoric including "Yallah, Yallah, Intifada" and "Death to the IDF." Israeli ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor warned of an "immediate existential threat" to Jewish life in Berlin, calling on the party to present a concrete plan to combat "systematic hatred of Israel and Jews." Green MEP Sergey Lagodinsky urged the party to expel antisemitic members and commit to Israel's right to exist, telling news magazine Der Spiegel that "anti-Zionism denies the existence of a member of the international community and must not be fostered by any civilized party in Germany." Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated, "There will be no expropriations in Germany," and vowed to protect Jewish life in response to these allegations.

In New York City, Council Speaker Julie Menin successfully campaigned against the Metropolitan Museum of Art's planned exhibition honoring designer John Galliano. Menin had been vocal with museum leadership, board members, and Anna Wintour, citing Galliano's history of outspoken racism and antisemitism, including alleged remarks about Hitler and Jews. The museum and Galliano ultimately canceled the show.

Social media remains a focal point for antisemitic rhetoric. A viral video by Tyler Oliveira alleging a 'Jewish fraud ring' has drawn significant attention to online antisemitism. Separately, a dispute has ignited within the Democratic Party following a caucus leader's post singling out Jews, highlighting what reporting indicates are public reactions that "rarely combat racism or antisemitism."

The cryptocurrency casino Duel has come under scrutiny for sponsoring combat sports events that featured Nazi imagery and Hitler salutes. According to reporting from JTA, the casino's owner, Ossi Ketola, has a history of racist comments and has attended neo-fascist rallies. Duel's programming has reportedly used Nazi symbols and racist language, including skits by a dealer that contained antisemitic slurs and lyrics. Ketola was also photographed meeting with Donald Trump Jr., discussing political situations he described as increasingly similar in the US and Finland.

Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, a leading US Reform rabbi, has issued a stark warning about the broader implications of unchecked antisemitism, stating that "if antisemitism is allowed to spread, 'it is not only Jews who will pay the price, America will too.'"

I'm Rachel Adler, thank you for listening to Antisemitism Watch.

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This report was generated with AI assistance and may contain inaccuracies. Please verify important details with primary sources.

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Sources:
- ctvnews.ca: https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/suspect-involved-in-shooting-outside-belleville-ont-synagogue-identified/
- youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoP7UvWycO4
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