Headlines

Antisemitic Shooting During Yom Kippur Services in Canada Leaves Officer Critically Injured
Netanyahu Accuses NYC Mayor Mamdani of Antisemitism and Hamas Ties at UN Speech
Jewish Professor Files Federal Complaint Over Alleged Antisemitic Harassment at Duquesne University

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

In Belleville, Ontario, a carefully planned antisemitic attack during Yom Kippur services at the Sons of Jacob Synagogue was narrowly thwarted by courageous police officers, narrowly preventing mass casualties. According to reporting from The Globe and Mail and a statement from the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the gunman, a former member of the Canadian military, opened fire on officers stationed outside the synagogue during Yom Kippur services. The gunman, who investigators said was armed with multiple firearms, ammunition, and gasoline, was killed in the ensuing firefight, while a Belleville Police officer, Constable Jeff Smith, was critically injured. The gunman was captured on video shouting, "you are going to die for the Jews." Chief Commissioner Charlotte-Anne Malischewski of the Canadian Human Rights Commission stated that emerging details confirm the attack was targeted and that "antisemitism continues to fester in Canada." The attack saw two dozen bullet holes in the synagogue's stained glass window, and the community has launched a GoFundMe to help rebuild, vowing to carry on their faith.

Separately, in Manchester, New Hampshire, police arrested Tyler Inman, 20, in connection with vandalism at The Moka Pot, a business described as a self-declared safe space. According to Manchester Police, swastikas and the words "WHITE POWER" were spray-painted on a wall, and multiple windows were smashed. The estimated damage value was $5,000. Manchester Police Chief Peter Marr stated that "Hate has no place in Manchester," and Mayor Jay Ruais unequivocally condemned the "hateful and disgusting vandalism."

On college campuses, a Jewish psychology professor at Duquesne University has filed a federal complaint alleging ongoing antisemitic harassment and a hostile work environment. The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law filed the complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of Alexander Kranjec, an associate professor since 2011. Kranjec alleges the university treated anti-Zionist hostility directed at him differently than other forms of discrimination and that he faced retaliation for raising concerns. The complaint also states that graduate students feared reporting antisemitism could affect their grades and careers. The university stated it takes such allegations seriously and follows established procedures.

In a separate campus incident, a swastika symbol, associated with the Nazi Party and hate groups, was found on a classroom desk at Walter Johnson High School on Friday, September 25, 2026, according to a student's report. Broader concerns about campus antisemitism were highlighted in reporting noting vandalism and rhetoric targeting a historically Jewish fraternity at UC San Diego, which the Anti-Defamation League reported rose over 360 percent in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks.

In politics and media, tensions flared when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of antisemitism and having ties to Hamas during a UN General Assembly speech on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Mamdani, an outspoken pro-Palestinian advocate who has condemned Hamas as a terrorist organization, responded by calling Netanyahu's accusations "baseless lies" and referencing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes. The remarks drew mixed reactions among New York Jewish Democrats; Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal called the speech a "political ploy," while City Council Speaker Julie Menin stated Netanyahu's remarks were "not helpful at all" and could "incite violence." Governor Kathy Hochul also pushed back, calling the accusation that Mamdani supported "Hamas monsters" false.

Separately, a journalist for Canada's taxpayer-funded broadcaster, CBC, was suspended after filming a pro-Palestine protest outside a Yom Kippur service attended by an advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Neil Herland, a Jewish journalist, shared footage of the protest and expressed fears about Jewish safety in Canada, stating, "Jewish Canadians are living in a parallel world." CBC stated it would not comment on internal employee matters.

Actress Melissa Barrera also spoke out about her dismissal from the 'Scream' franchise, stating she would not return to work with Spyglass Media Group, which she accused of labeling her antisemitic over her response to the October 7th Hamas attack without issuing an apology.

In Spain, author Ariana Harwicz was disinvited from the Cultur Alh literary festival on September 26th, following complaints from university activists about her support for Israel and opposition to cultural boycotts, which she links to antisemitism. Harwicz, a Jewish-Argentinian novelist, has also dismissed accusations of genocide against Israel. Over 350 cultural figures signed a petition defending her, calling for pluralism and freedom to dissent, while the activists denied making threats and stated they criticize public stances, not identities.

In case outcomes, Angel Viera, 34, of Philadelphia, was arrested and charged with ethnic intimidation, defiant trespass, and disorderly conduct after allegedly trespassing at the Germantown Jewish Centre on Thursday. Authorities said Viera attempted to gain entry to the school and synagogue while children were present and made derogatory and antisemitic statements, including "F— the Jews." The Germantown Jewish Centre has previously been targeted with bomb threats and hostile calls, and community leaders expressed deep concern about this incident, particularly with children present.

Across Canada, Jewish communities remain on heightened alert, with synagogues and Jewish community centers implementing significantly increased security measures. This shift from open, unlocked doors to requiring bag checks and external patrols is described as a "tragic reality" driven by heightened antisemitism, according to reporting by BellMedia. Rabbi Debra Landsberg noted that while not new for the Jewish world, it is newer in Canada. The recent attack in Belleville, described by congregation president Tova Arbus as feeling "closest to home," has reinforced these concerns.

Finally, in an effort to aid educators, the Anti-Defamation League launched ADL Ora in February 2026. This artificial intelligence assistant for K-12 educators is designed to help them teach about Jewish identity, antisemitism, and the Holocaust, drawing from the ADL's extensive educational materials rather than the open internet.

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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