Toronto, Canada – The Canadian Security and Intelligence Service has issued a warning regarding a concerning increase in violent rhetoric from extremist actors following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The agency expressed concerns about the potential escalation of this rhetoric into violence within Canadian society.
Last fall, CSIS consulted with the federal Public Safety Department, as well as Muslim and Jewish leaders, to address the surge in reported hate crimes fueled by the ongoing conflict. The agency highlighted the impact of the conflict on raising tensions in the country.
According to a CSIS spokesman, Eric Balsam, the spike in violent rhetoric has been evident since the Hamas attack. The agency expressed the possibility of such events influencing certain individuals’ intent to mobilize towards violence as the conflict continues.
CSIS actively monitors potentially dangerous behavior and identifies threats to be relayed to the government and law enforcement agencies. It is emphasized that lawful protests and government dissent, protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, are not within the scope of surveillance.
The Canadian Press obtained CSIS documents revealing discussions between federal officials and leaders from the Jewish and Muslim communities regarding the mounting tensions domestically. These discussions involve ongoing monitoring of threats and looking for evidence of potential attacks being planned.
Community leaders pointed out concerns around the issue of free speech, noting that activists have faced consequences for voicing certain chants and calls related to the conflict. Law enforcement has been reportedly monitoring activists at protests, but officials have stated that these activities remain legal and have not shown signs of escalating towards violence.
Jewish leaders have decried incidents of protestors praising the Hamas attack in various cities across Canada, leading to increased scrutiny of such events by law enforcement. A recent annual report on nationwide incidents of antisemitism has shown a notable spike in occurrences since the Oct. 7 attack.
B’nai Brith Canada’s director of research and advocacy highlighted the concerning rise in antisemitic incidents, particularly online and in public spaces, emphasizing the impact on Jewish Canadians during periods of unrest in Israel. Federal officials have been urged to address hateful rhetoric expressed at rallies and take proactive measures to combat antisemitism.
In response to these concerns, efforts have been made to monitor Jewish-owned businesses and schools for targeted attacks, in addition to focusing on community centers and synagogues. Public Safety Canada has also been directed to engage with universities to address rising tensions and antisemitism on campuses.
As tensions persist, pro-Palestinian protestors have established encampments on several Canadian campuses in protest of Israeli actions following the Oct. 7 attack. The ongoing discussions and actions taken by authorities reflect the efforts to address and mitigate the impact of the conflict on various communities within Canada.