September 15, 2025
HALIFAX – Canada must treat antisemitism as a national crisis, B’nai Brith Canada warned on Monday, after vandals targeted Jewish institutions in Nova Scotia during the weekend.
“These hateful acts have left Canada’s Jewish community on edge,” said Richard Robertson, B’nai Brith Canada’s Director of Research and Advocacy. “Canada must formally recognize that there is an antisemitism crisis. Parliament should mandate a task force to develop and coordinate a response that strengthens law enforcement, secures Jewish institutions, and ensures hate is met with real consequences.”
In footage police released from the incidents, a man can be seen graffitiing a Hakenkreuz (Nazi hooked cross) on the exterior of the Shaar Shalom Congregation. He also inscribed the words “Jews did 9/11,” invoking an antisemitic conspiracy theory.
“This depraved attack on Halifax’s Jewish community is further evidence of the devolving crisis of antisemitism in this country,” Robertson said, referencing a letter B’nai Brith Canada sent federal politicians last week on the subject. “Our leaders’ inability to adequately address this crisis is enabling such hate to become normalized in Canada.”