Headlines

Belleville Synagogue Shooting: Targeted Attack Leaves Officer Injured
Cornell University Faces Controversy Over Hasan Piker Speech
Jewish Democrats Oppose Merger of State Department Holocaust Envoy Office

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Transcript

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

A shooting outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, on September 20th left a police officer injured, in what Jewish leaders are calling a targeted attack. According to reporting reviewed for this episode, the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Sean Ward, died from his injuries. The officer, Const. Jeff Smith, remains in stable condition but faces a significant road to recovery. The National Post reported that Belleville police were present at the synagogue, Sons of Jacob, because congregants had reported a suspicious vehicle a week prior. The synagogue described the incident as a “targeted attack against Jews gathering together to pray and be in community,” occurring on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. The incident has prompted increased security measures near synagogues and places of worship across Canada out of caution.

On college campuses, controversy surrounds the scheduled appearance of influencer Hasan Piker at Cornell University. As reported by Manya Brachear Pashman, Piker is a controversial left-wing pundit with a history of antisemitic comments. His appearances have drawn varied responses elsewhere, with the University of Washington canceling his event and the University of Texas offering limited seating. Jewish Voice for Peace invited Piker to Cornell, alongside other student groups, while Cornellians for Israel opposed his appearance. Leaders of Hillel at Cornell University released a statement calling Piker's views "repulsive" and against their values. Piker has previously made remarks warning American Jews, calling a Jewish man a "bloodthirsty, violent pig dog," and describing ultra-Orthodox Jews as "inbred."

In politics, Zohran Mamdani has faced scrutiny for his rhetoric. According to reporting reviewed for this episode, Mamdani has called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an “architect of genocide” and has repeatedly called for the Prime Minister's arrest.

On Capitol Hill, opposition has emerged to a proposed change within the State Department. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported that 19 Jewish Democrats in Congress signed a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio opposing plans to fold the State Department’s standalone Holocaust envoy office into the office of Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, the special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism. The signatories argued that the offices are complementary but not interchangeable, with the Holocaust envoy role focusing on historical justice and remembrance, and Kaploun's office on contemporary antisemitism. Critics, including Representative Jerry Nadler, have called the potential merger "abominable" and a "vain attempt to consolidate power."

A September 2026 poll by the Jewish People Policy Institute reveals a widening gap between American and Israeli Jews regarding the influence of Israeli government policy on global antisemitism. The JPPI's Jewish People Voice Index found that 39% of American Jews now believe Israeli government policy contributes "to a large extent" to the increase in antisemitism worldwide, a significant rise from 31% a year prior. In contrast, 44% of Israeli Jews rejected any link between state policy and antisemitism, with only 28% saying policy contributes significantly.

Internationally, hundreds rallied at the United Nations in New York on September 23rd, urging world leaders to address rising antisemitism. CBS New York reported that organizers called for leaders to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism and implement national action plans. The Anti-Defamation League cited data indicating antisemitic attitudes have doubled since 2014. The rally occurred ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address at the UN General Assembly.

Amidst these challenges, signs of resilience emerge. The Times of Israel reports that Temple Israel in Michigan stands restored six months after an attempted destruction, with its community delivering a resolute message of Zionist identity during Yom Kippur services. The broad rally at the UN also served as a powerful demonstration against antisemitism and a demand for action.

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:
- nationalpost.com: https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/belleville-synagogue-raising-funds-to-rebuild-as-jewish-leaders-remain-committed-to-safety
- forward.com: https://forward.com/news/851885/hasan-piker-cornell-ut-austin-antisemitism/
- combatantisemitism.org: https://combatantisemitism.org/interview/they-extended-their-hand-to-my-family-former-wnba-player-sonia-chase-on-building-black-jewish-bridges/
- blogs.timesofisrael.com: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-delusion-behind-the-new-antisemitism/
- forward.com: https://forward.com/fast-forward/851762/jewish-dems-in-congress-oppose-plans-to-merge-holocaust-and-antisemitism-envoys/
- jewishpress.com: https://jewishpress.com/syrian-fm-us-antisemitism-envoy-hold-rare-talks-in-new-york/
- jpost.com: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-909578
- jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com: https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-rally-at-un-to-urge-world-leaders-to-address-antisemitism/
- Times of Israel (Telegram): https://t.me/TheTimesOfIsrael2022/9221
- cbsnews.com: https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/rally-against-antisemitism-united-nations-nyc/
- youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw-XbDsQz40