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Gunman linked to antisemitic conspiracies fires on synagogue; UT Austin event sparks campus safety concerns; Jewish leaders urge UN action on antisemitism

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

We begin with a disturbing incident in Belleville, Ontario, where a gunman opened fire outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue late Sunday evening, injuring a police officer. According to reporting from The Canadian Press and other outlets, the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Sean Ward, a former Canadian Armed Forces soldier, died after exchanging gunfire with police. Anonymous military sources cited by The Globe and Mail and Global News suggest Ward was released from the army after refusing COVID-19 vaccination and voiced antisemitic conspiracies. Belleville police have not confirmed the motive, but Ontario's solicitor general has called the attack antisemitic, as reported by CTV News. Defence Minister David McGuinty stated it is 'very concerning' that the suspect was a former soldier, and Justice Minister Sean Fraser highlighted the need to fully implement anti-hate legislation. Constable Jeff Smith, the injured officer, remains in critical but stable condition, according to Ashley Smith, his wife, who expressed gratitude for the community's support.

On college campuses, U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar has raised concerns about an upcoming event at the University of Texas at Austin featuring internet personality Hasan Piker. As reported by the San Antonio Express-News, Cuellar stated that Piker's history of comments, particularly concerning Israel and Hamas, could make Jewish students feel unsafe. Piker has rejected accusations of antisemitism, arguing his criticism is of Zionism, not Judaism. University officials reportedly denied requests for larger venues for the event, citing safety concerns, leading organizers to call it 'soft canceled.'

Internationally, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin defended the manager of the Republic of Ireland men's soccer team, Heimir Hallgrimsson, who had accused Israel of 'genocide.' According to The Algemeiner, Martin stated Hallgrimsson's comments were 'unacceptable' and echoed concerns about the scale of death and destruction in Gaza, as previously voiced by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The Israel Football Association had criticized Hallgrimsson's remarks.

In the UK, British police arrested two men in Manchester on suspicion of plotting an imminent attack. This occurred just before the anniversary of the Heaton Park attack, a deadly antisemitic terror incident. The arrests underscore escalating threats to Jewish safety, as noted by reporting on the situation.

A CNN poll conducted by SSRS from September 16th to 17th indicates that 61 percent of US adults view Israel as either an 'ally' or 'friendly,' though the poll also notes a trend of declining perception of the Jewish state over the past three years, particularly among Democrats. This comes as anti-Israel animus has been amplified by some media figures peddling conspiracy theories, according to reporting on the poll.

Meanwhile, Jewish leaders are urging action at the United Nations. The J7 Large Communities Task Force Against Antisemitism, representing major diaspora communities, called on UN member states to prioritize combating antisemitism in the selection of the next Secretary-General, citing the UN's 'years-long record of antisemitic conduct and anti-Israel bias,' according to The Algemeiner. In New York City, thousands gathered near UN headquarters, demanding world leaders take serious action against antisemitism, an event spearheaded by UJA-Federation of New York and other organizations, as reported by eJewishPhilanthropy. In Washington, 19 Jewish Democrats in Congress have urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to maintain the Holocaust envoy office as a distinct, permanent entity, separate from the antisemitism envoy office, according to JTA. Elsewhere on Capitol Hill, the Anti-Defamation League is bringing survivors of antisemitic attacks to meet with legislators. The US Treasury is also initiating procedures to revoke tax-exempt status for certain universities and private schools, with one report linking this action to 'Antisemitism roils Providence.'

In accountability news, an Argentine judge has ordered two senior Iranian officials and six others to face trial in absentia for their alleged roles in the 1994 AMIA Jewish community center bombing, which killed 85 people. As reported by JTA, the judge charged them with aggravated homicide and injuries motivated by racial or religious hatred, classifying the bombing as a crime against humanity and genocide. In a separate development, the Art Institute of Chicago announced it is returning a 1913 painting, 'Woman with a Fan,' to the heirs of its original Dutch Jewish owner, Emanuel Lewenstein, after determining it was forcibly sold during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, according to The Algemeiner.

On a more hopeful note, the Portland Trust Israel's Oz Va'Ruach initiative is helping wounded reservists transition into high-tech jobs, providing support for those impacted by the recent conflict, as highlighted by eJewishPhilanthropy. The 2026 John Bonython Lecture also addressed the imperative to fight antisemitism, referencing the October 7th attacks and the spread of extremist views. Senator Bernie Sanders, speaking at Riverside Church, decried 'genocide.'

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:
- thestar.com: https://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/former-soldier-s-alleged-role-in-synagogue-shooting-very-concerning-defence-minister/article_89355ef2-c68f-5bd6-8b44-6af2cdaffd31.html
- therecord.com: https://www.therecord.com/news/ontario/wife-of-police-officer-critically-injured-in-belleville-synagogue-shooting-shares-impassioned-message/article_dd2a2baf-10b6-5cdf-8521-6a32b1ade020.html
- youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ4e9smdy8k
- yahoo.com: https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/san-antonio-lawmaker-raises-antisemitism-195156136.html
- Times of Israel (Telegram): https://t.me/TheTimesOfIsrael2022/9216
- Algemeiner: https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/09/23/irish-pm-defends-genocide-comments-soccer-team-manager-backlash-israel/
- algemeiner.com: https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/09/23/majority-americans-view-israel-ally-friend-poll-finds/
- JTA: https://www.jta.org/2026/09/23/united-states/jewish-dems-in-congress-oppose-plans-to-merge-holocaust-and-antisemitism-envoys
- ejewishphilanthropy.com: https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/your-daily-phil-uja-fed-n-y-steps-deeper-into-the-political-fray/
- mariodiazbalart.house.gov: https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/no-more-blank-checks-appropriators-white-house-direct-un-accountability
- jewishinsider.com: https://jewishinsider.com/2026/09/treasury-tax-exempt-status-universities-private-schools/
- Algemeiner: https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/09/23/jewish-leaders-worldwide-call-un-reset-secretary-general-race-puts-antisemitism-focus/
- dailysignal.com: https://www.dailysignal.com/2026/09/23/manchester-to-manhattan-why-jewish-safety-is-now-a-question-for-every-western-city/
- JTA: https://www.jta.org/2026/09/23/global/2-top-iranian-officials-to-face-trial-in-absentia-over-deadly-1994-attack-on-argentinian-jewish-center
- Algemeiner: https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/09/23/chicago-museum-returns-nazi-looted-painting-heirs-dutch-jewish-owner/
- JTA: https://www.jta.org/2026/09/23/ny/jewish-groups-rally-outside-un-against-antisemitism
- cis.org.au: https://www.cis.org.au/publication/how-to-fight-antisemitism-the-2026-john-bonython-lecture/