Toronto, Canada – The Canadian Security and Intelligence Service has raised concerns regarding a surge in “violent rhetoric” from extremist individuals following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. CSIS officials fear that this heightened rhetoric could potentially lead to acts of violence within the country.
Last fall, the spy agency engaged in discussions with the federal Public Safety Department, as well as leaders from the Jewish and Muslim communities, to address the increase in reported hate crimes fueled by the ongoing conflict. CSIS spokesperson, Eric Balsam, emphasized the impact of the current crisis on escalating tensions within Canadian society.
The agency monitors potential threats and identifies dangerous behaviors to relay to governmental and law enforcement entities. However, it was clarified that lawful protests and government dissent are not under surveillance, as they are protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Documents obtained through the Access to Information Act shed light on the concerns discussed among federal officials and community leaders, particularly focusing on mounting tensions domestically. CSIS assured participants that ongoing monitoring of threats will continue to be a priority.
One of the key issues discussed revolved around the concept of free speech and the challenges faced by activists expressing their views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Community leaders raised concerns about activist surveillance and the suppression of their right to free speech by the authorities.
The documents also highlighted incidents where activists at pro-Palestinian demonstrations were under scrutiny by law enforcement for their chants and expressions of support for certain events. Additionally, there were reports of Jewish leaders calling for police intervention in response to hateful rhetoric at rallies.
The discussion surrounding the term “Zionist” was also addressed, with federal officials emphasizing that attacks against Zionists should be viewed as attacks against Jews, as the majority of Jews identify as Zionists advocating for a Jewish state.
In light of the rising tensions and incidents of antisemitism following the Hamas attack, law enforcement agencies have been urged to increase monitoring of Jewish-owned establishments to prevent targeted attacks. Public Safety Canada has also been tasked with engaging universities to mitigate tensions and antisemitism on campuses.