Headlines

Shooter Targets Synagogue on Yom Kippur, Police Call it Anti-Jewish Hate Crime
Students Lobby Parliament as Reports Show Widespread Campus Antisemitism
Netanyahu Denounces Antisemitism, Accuses NYC Mayor Mamdani of Spreading Lies

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Transcript

You're listening to Antisemitism Watch, I'm Rachel Adler. Today, we cover a wave of violent threats and incidents across North America and beyond, alongside disturbing trends emerging on university campuses and online.

In Belleville, Ontario, police chief Murray Rodd has labeled a shooting attack outside a synagogue on Yom Kippur an "anti-Jewish hate-motivated offense." Reporting from JTA states the assailant was heard yelling, "You are going to die for the Jews." The suspect, Sean Ward, died after confronting officers who prevented him from entering the Sons of Jacob synagogue. Police indicated Ward possessed combustible materials and significant ammunition, and that the officers' actions prevented a far greater act. Constable Jeff Smith remains in critical but progressing condition.

In Brooklyn, New York, a man was arrested and charged with aggravated harassment as a hate crime. The Daily News reports Devin Best, 48, chased a Jewish student with a knife while shouting "Heil Hitler!" Surveillance video captured the harrowing incident. According to NYPD statistics cited by the Daily News, hate crimes in the city are up 15% this year, with 42% of confirmed August hate crimes being antisemitic.

In Jerusalem, the Kol Haneshama synagogue has experienced escalating hostility, as reported by Haaretz. Worshippers had eggs thrown at them during Rosh Hashanah prayers, and a Pride flag was torn down on Yom Kippur eve, following a previous break-in at the community center.

On Canadian university campuses, Jewish students are facing a disturbing rise in antisemitism. Reporting from JTA, The CJN, and the National Post indicates incidents ranging from graffiti and "Heil Hitler" salutes to mezuzahs being torn from dorm room doors. A Campus Antisemitism and Student Experiences, or CASE, report found that over 90 percent of Jewish students experienced or witnessed antisemitism on campus in the past year, and 68 percent feel their campus is not safe or inclusive for Jews. Students have traveled to Ottawa to lobby Members of Parliament, sharing firsthand accounts and calling for action to ensure safety. Some students also reported facing antisemitism from professors and teaching assistants.

Separately, a Jewish professor at Duquesne University has alleged ongoing antisemitism and retaliation within his department, according to TribLIVE.

On the international stage, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly, denouncing antisemitism worldwide. FOX News and JTA report that Netanyahu specifically accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of spreading lies, distorting facts, and fostering an environment where Jews no longer feel safe in New York. He also broadly described global threats against Jewish people.

The Roys Report details a concerning online trend: a small but growing group of pastors and online influencers are merging segregationist theology with hypermasculine and attention-economy tactics to promote white supremacy and antisemitism. Examples include rhetoric labeling Jews as "enemies of God" and the promotion of materials like Martin Luther's "On the Jews and Their Lies."

In Spain, over 350 writers and cultural figures have signed a petition defending Jewish-Argentinian novelist Ariana Harwicz. JTA reports she was disinvited from the Cultur Alh festival after university activists complained about her views, which include opposing cultural boycotts against Israeli writers as antisemitic and dismissing accusations of genocide against Israel. The activists stated that labeling all criticism of Israel as antisemitic trivializes real antisemitism.

Following the Belleville synagogue shooting, Jewish leaders and Members of Parliament in Canada are calling for increased federal funding for community security. The Globe and Mail reports that a federal requirement for synagogues to cover 30 percent of security costs places a significant burden on smaller institutions. A Public Safety Canada report noted, "Antisemitism, which includes anti-Zionism, is not always..."

In accountability news, the U.S. Justice Department announced that Edwin Guerrero was sentenced to nine years and 11 months for making antisemitic social media posts and threats targeting Jewish U.S. Representative Randy Fine and his family. Guerrero admitted to sending messages that included, "don't worry, your two, little precious Jewish boys will suffer the same fate." His search history also contained anti-Israel content.

Finally, hundreds gathered at Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza in New York, organized by UJA and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. JTA reports the group urged world leaders at the UN General Assembly to address the "rampant proliferation of antisemitism." Speakers, including ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, criticized what they termed "deliberate passivity in the face of antisemitism," and some speakers criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

The challenges facing Jewish communities remain acute, but advocacy and community action continue. 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:
- JTA: https://www.jta.org/2026/09/24/global/police-label-shooting-in-belleville-ontario-a-hate-motivated-attack-against-the-jewish-community
- haaretz.com: https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/2026-09-24/ty-article/.premium/jerusalem-reform-community-grapples-with-recent-string-of-attacks/000001a0-d240-d27a-a5a0-d258fad50000
- nydailynews.com: https://www.nydailynews.com/2026/09/24/man-knife-yelling-heil-hitler-chases-jewish-student-yelling-hate-crime/
- nationalpost.com: https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/jewish-students-say-they-have-come-across-heil-hitler-salutes-antisemitic-graffiti-on-canadian-university-campuses
- thecjn.ca: https://thecjn.ca/news/university-students-lobby-mps-in-ottawa-to-improve-campus-safety-for-jews/
- nationalpost.com: https://nationalpost.com/video/70e9bd9a-b85b-11f1-9729-c65e2147587e/jewish-students-say-antisemitism-is-rife-on-canadian-university-campuses
- cija.ca: https://www.cija.ca/jewish_students_take_fight_for_equal_protection_to_parliament_hill
- triblive.com: https://triblive.com/news/education-classroom/jewish-professor-at-duquesne-university-alleges-ongoing-antisemitism-retaliation/
- youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux0E-h9R3Wo
- foxbusiness.com: https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/larry-kudlow-netanyahus-barn-burner-speech-makes-case-moral-clarity-against-antisemitism
- politico.com: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/24/netanyahu-rails-against-antisemitic-mamdani-in-defiant-un-speech-01092488
- roysreport.com: https://roysreport.com/the-rise-of-the-jim-crow-theobros/
- forward.com: https://forward.com/fast-forward/852086/more-than-350-cultural-figures-slam-spanish-festival-for-canceling-a-jewish-novelist-for-her-israel-views/
- x.com: https://x.com/mgeist/status/2103185001311338773
- theglobeandmail.com: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-tackling-antisemitism-hate-should-priority-jewish-leaders-mps-say/
- ajc.org: https://www.ajc.org/news/ajc-presents-diplomatic-excellence-award-to-board-of-peace-high-representative-nickolay
- nypost.com: https://nypost.com/2026/09/24/us-news/massachusetts-man-gets-almost-10-years-for-threats-to-kill-jewish-congressman/
- jewishtimes.com: https://www.jewishtimes.com/hundreds-rally-at-un-to-urge-world-leaders-to-address-antisemitism/