Threats to Jews and Western Values | CAEF Bulletin, June 12, 2025
- CAEF
- Jun 12
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 13
Antisemitism on the World Stage
The above was the title of the June 10th evening with Brigadier General Amir Avivi, Founder and CEO of the Israel Defense and Security Forum (Habithonistim in Hebrew), moderated by Rabbi Moshe Davis, Director of International Operations for IDSF. Several poignant, powerful and punch messages were delivered by General Avivi, who also took dozens of questions from the audience. Here are a few cogent points which he reiterated to a small group of allies and community activists on June 11th: focus on values, history, Zionism and Judaism. Without knowing one’s values, one cannot solve a problem. For Jews those values are deeply rooted in Judaism, and we must hold them tenaciously. A people cannot win a war nor even an argument without knowing what they value, and these don’t change and should not be mixed up with problem solving. Jews must know their history, from early Zionism to today’s Zionism, and the deep connection that Jews have to their land.
The four pillars of the IDSF which we should consider adapting to our own local and national situation are:
Develop with and deliver to the Grassroots.
Focus on the younger generation- in education and programming.
Be media dominant-have relevant content, deliver to segments of the population via appropriate vehicles such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook.
Have well researched and well-developed policies and deliver them effectively to decision makers.
Approximately 300 people were inspired by the message.
Radical Islam has a Weapon—Our Fear of Offending
Western governments and citizens are afraid to speak up as Islamists take advantage of our tolerance and freedoms that have allowed their intrusion into all aspects of our society. CAEF is exploring the Many Faces of Islamic Antisemitism, which is not new, not related to the re-establishment of Israel in 1948, nor to the war in Gaza. There are ancient attitudes, bigotry, discrimination and pogroms against the Jews in Arab Muslim lands. There is doctrine against Jews and other infidels in Islamic holy scriptures. There is an increasing radicalization of Muslim youth taking place across the globe which includes Canada and has contributed to Canada having a reputation now as being more antisemitic than some other Western democracies.
Listen to Eitan Chitayat on Radical Islam’s Greatest Weapon—Our Fear of Offending.
Register for CAEF Web Talk, Islamic Reform and The Israel Factor with Christine Douglass-Williams
Listen to the Imam of Peace, Imam Mohammad Tawhidi on Islamic extremism. Throughout the ages.
Legal Update
Luke Alexander MacDonnell of New Glasgow NS Charged with Advocating Genocide, Wilfully Promoting Hate.
On June 7, 2025, CAEF President Michael Teper responded to a detailed posting from the X blogger "Leviathan", detailing criminally hateful messages posted by Luke MacDonnell of New Glasgow NS. He filed complaints with both the New Glasgow Regional Police and the Toronto Police Service.
CAEF expresses its gratitude to the mysterious "Leviathan" for his diligence and resourcefulness in this and other cases.
Here is a sample of Mr. MacDonnell's work:
CAEF also expresses its appreciation to B'nai Brith Canada for also reporting this series of hate crimes.
Troublingly, Mr. MacDonnell is also the co-sponsor of a GoFundMe page that has raised almost $1,500,000 in anonymous donations, in large installments.
After spending the weekend in custody, Mr. MacDonnell appeared in Nova Scotia Provincial Court in Pictou County, where he was released on $12,500 bail with conditions including a prohibition on internet use, and a 10PM - 7 AM curfew. The mysterious Leviathan has also raised serious concerns about an Edmonton businessman who has been the subject of earlier complaints to police.
Ottawa Police looking for culprit(s) responsible for defacing the National Holocaust Memorial. Please contact police if you have any information.
Reminders
On June 17, at the Ontario Court of Justice at 10 Armoury Street, Toronto (near St. Patrick subway station), judgment will be given in the case of Razaali Bahadur. Bahadur was charged with promotion of hatred of Jews in a public place in a manner likely to result in a breach of the peace, for statements he made at Nathan Phillips Square at a rally commemorating the 6th month anniversary of the October 7, 2023 atrocities.
On July 15, also at the 10 Armoury Street courthouse, a sentencing hearing for Waisuddin Akbari will be held. Akbari was found guilty of uttering threats with hate motivation, for threatening to blow up every synagogue in Toronto.
If you would like details about these cases, or further information about how to attend court hearings, please email info@caef.ca.
Jew hatred on the Streets of Toronto June 2, 2025
Rise of Antisemitism in Canada, Report from ISGAP
Jew Hatred Online: Report from Foundation to Combat Antisemitism
Read weekly reports on antisemitic acts across the Globe, trending hate terminology, and the meaning behind slogans. Below is a sample heading.
“Free Palestine” remains the most frequently used phrase online. Meanwhile, the “Freedom Flotilla”—a ship carrying 12 volunteers including environmental activist Greta Thunberg and actor Liam Cunningham to Gaza—sparked a wave of discussion about activism and Israel's blockade on Gaza. Some users criticized the ship members accusing them of virtue signaling and supporting a terrorist organization, while others praised their decision as an act of brave solidarity.
Subscribe to Foundation to Combat Antisemitism for regular updates.
Belleville, Ontario Integrity Commissioner Dismisses Complaint Despite Acknowledged Antisemitic Impact
In a deeply concerning ruling for Jewish community members and equity advocates, Belleville Integrity Commissioner Laura Dean, of Aird & Berlis LLP, has dismissed a formal complaint regarding Councillor Sean Kelly’s public endorsement of a controversial interfaith event that included substantial antisemitic rhetoric. Although Dean acknowledged the harmful impact of the event on the Jewish community, she declined to find a violation of Belleville’s Code of Conduct, citing limitations in the Code’s wording.
The complaint, filed by community member Douglas Lobel in January 2025, focused on Kelly’s public praise for the November 9, 2024 “Interfaith Summit,” held at the Islamic Society of Belleville. The event excluded mainstream Jewish voices and included speakers and materials affiliated with anti-Zionist groups such as Independent Jewish Voices (IJV). Despite its billing as an inclusive event, many in the local Jewish community felt marginalized.
In her June 2 dismissal, Dean conceded that the event “included statements that can be characterized as antisemitic based on the definition contained in the Canadian Handbook on Antisemitism” and that “Councillor Kelly’s comments about the event impacted the Jewish community.”
However, Dean stopped short of finding a breach of the Code. She stated that she was "exercising [her] discretion" and applying the Code in accordance with its limited scope. In effect, she concluded that because Councillor Kelly did not himself voice antisemitic statements and merely endorsed the event his conduct did not violate the letter of the Code.
“This decision is disappointing, not only for its outcome but because it confirms that municipal codes fail to address how symbolic endorsement of antisemitism can harm communities,” said Lobel. “Even the Commissioner recognized the negative impact of his comments. But because of a narrow legal framework, no action can be taken.”
Lobel has filed a complaint with the Ontario Ombudsman and is preparing to file with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, citing creed-based exclusion and procedural shortcomings. He is also calling on Belleville City Council to update the Code of Conduct to reflect modern equity standards and accountability measures.
As antisemitism increasingly manifests under the guise of activism, this case underscores the urgent need for public officials and the systems meant to hold them accountable to do better.
Jews are an Indigenous people to Israel, says Maori director of Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem
Stop the UN from dividing Israel.
On June 17, the UN in NY will host an international conference to press for recognition of a Palestinian State. This is a reward for terrorism.
Sign this petition; stand with Israel Against Undermining Israeli Sovereignty and rewarding Terrorism.
Canadian Prime Minister, “Muslim Values are Canadian Values”— Interesting.
Read this story in The Times of India.
Punishment of Canadian Who Questions Ideological Education or Hamas
Read Jamie Sarkonak in National Post on a student who questioned the lingo of “decolonization” and is suing her university after she was punished.
Recommended Readings
Read Diane Bederman’s Blog blasting the Toronto Chief of Police for lack of intervention at protests.
Read How Jews Became the New Blacks, an essay by David Christopher Kaufman in Mosaic Magazine.
Read article in JNS by Dave Gordon, on Why denying Zionism rejects core Jewish experience.
Read Howard Rotberg’s article in Israel National News, Deferring to Islam is Submission.
Read latest report in NGO Monitor on Organizations and Individuals behind Anti-Israel Lawfare in Canada. Know the enemy.
Read National Post Op Ed from Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem on Jewish Indigeneity.
Read in Algemeiner that Argentina will move its Embassy to Jerusalem in 2026.
Book The Shalom Project
CAEF invites organizations, groups, Jewish and non-Jewish, to book a showing or our 45 ppt presentation that answers questions such as: Where do Jews come from? What is Zionism? What is antiZionism? How has Antisemitism changed over the millennia? What is in the Hamas charter? And what can individuals do to combat Jew hatred?
To book a presentation or get more information, contact Sheryl Korn sfkorn55@gmail.com.
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