Headlines

Iran Linked to Belgian Terror Attacks on Jewish Targets
Philadelphia Man Faces Hate Crime Charges for Threatening Jewish Center
Analysis: Anti-Zionist Rhetoric Linked to Canada Synagogue Attack; Jewish Actor Calls Gaza War Genocide

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Transcript

You're listening to Antisemitism Watch, I'm Rachel Adler. Today, we're tracking international terror links, a direct threat on a Jewish community center in Philadelphia, and continuing analysis of how anti-Zionist rhetoric can fuel antisemitism.

Belgian officials have stated that terrorists who attacked Jewish targets in Liège and Antwerp in March 2026 'certainly' acted on instructions from Tehran. This was reported by KAN News, citing Gert Vercauteren, Director of Belgium's Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis. Vercauteren told French broadcaster RTBF that the attacks were part of a coordinated campaign, including a foiled attempt in the Netherlands. The incidents involved an arson attack outside a Jewish-owned business in Antwerp, claimed by the Ashab al-Yamin group, and an explosion at a synagogue in Liège. According to Ynet News, the targeted vehicle's owner in Antwerp was not Jewish, though attackers believed him to be Haredi. Two minors were arrested in connection with that attack. CUTA lists Belgium's threat level as 'very serious' due to the geopolitical context, specifically the war in Iran, Vercauteren also noted rising extremism in the United States. Reuters and Mathilda Heller contributed to the report.

In Philadelphia, a 34-year-old man, Angel Viera, faces charges including ethnic intimidation, defiant trespass, and disorderly conduct. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Viera attempted to enter the Germantown Jewish Centre and its associated school on Thursday, September 25, 2026, while preschool children were inside. A security guard reported that Viera pulled on several doors and refused to leave, allegedly shouting 'F— the Jews' and questioning the guard's employment. Police arrived within minutes and Viera remained on the property until their arrival; no one was injured. Nina Peskin, executive director of Germantown Jewish Centre, expressed concern. The center has a history of threats, including two bomb threats and multiple hostile phone calls. This incident occurs amid a documented rise in antisemitic activity, with Philadelphia County recording 162 incidents in 2024, the highest in Pennsylvania, according to the Anti-Defamation League's audit. Pennsylvania's ethnic intimidation statute is described as an enhancement charge for underlying offenses when malicious intent tied to religion is shown.

An antisemitic attack on the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, on Sunday, September 21, 2026, is being analyzed for its ideological roots. According to reporting in The Globe and Mail, the gunman shouted, 'You are going to die for the Jews,' before opening fire on the synagogue, with police intervention preventing further harm. The article argues that anti-Zionist rhetoric is fueling this wave of hate. It cites descriptions of Israel as an 'apartheid' state or 'racist ethno-state,' and the slogan 'Globalize the intifada,' as examples of rhetoric that, while not always antisemitic itself, contributes to an environment where antisemitism thrives. Avi Lewis is mentioned for accusing Israel of genocide. While Prime Minister Mark Carney has condemned antisemitism and pledged government action, the article notes his statements did not reference the October 7 attack or anti-Zionist rhetoric. The report also highlights that over two-thirds of religion-motivated hate crimes in Canada target Jewish Canadians, who comprise one percent of the population. Sammy Kogan provided reporting for The Globe and Mail, and the analysis references historian Abba Eban.

Jewish actor Adam Brody, known for his role as a 'hot rabbi' on the Netflix rom-com 'Nobody Wants This,' called the war in Gaza a genocide in a recent interview with GQ. Brody stated, 'Put me down as thinking it’s a genocide. Put me down as wanting a free Palestine.' He expressed hope that a future administration could rectify policies worsening the situation. The article notes that the claim of genocide is disputed, with a UN Commission of Inquiry finding Israel's actions fit the description, while other bodies like the International Court of Justice have not. Brody's comments are highlighted as notable, given his past privacy on the issue, contrasting with other Jewish public figures who have criticized the war but stopped short of using the term genocide.

In Philadelphia, Hannah Gann has admitted to lying about her identity, including claims of being Palestinian, Tunisian, and Black. According to NBC News coverage, via the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle and Jewish Telegraphic Agency, two local activist groups, Philly Educators for Palestine and the Racial Justice Organizing Committee, confronted Gann. After an extended questioning, she admitted her fabrications. The groups issued a statement expressing they were 'stunned, saddened and angered by this betrayal' and have cut ties with Gann. The reporting draws a parallel to the case of Rachel Dolezal.

At Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, Maryland, a swastika was found on a desk. This incident was reported by DC News Now (WDCW/WDVM).

The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to resume its expanded voter citizenship verification program. The program enables states to utilize Social Security records and the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, database to verify voters' citizenship. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented from the ruling, which relates to ongoing debates about election integrity and noncitizen voting. The Department of Homeland Security runs the SAVE system.

That's all for this edition of Antisemitism Watch. I'm Rachel Adler, thank you for listening.

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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:
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- timesofisrael.com: https://www.timesofisrael.com/belgian-official-says-attacks-on-jews-in-country-a-coordinated-effort-inspired-by-iran/
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