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Israel Now forms 'New Jewish Defense Force' to fight rising antisemitism in Canada

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The Canadian-based Israel Now movement has launched a "New Jewish Defense Force" to combat rising antisemitism and threats against the Jewish community in Canada.
  • The initiative follows a wave of violent antisemitic attacks in Toronto, including shootings targeting Jewish businesses and community infrastructure.
  • Led by Meir Weinstein, the group aims to move beyond passive reactions by documenting threats, gathering intelligence, and actively confronting those targeting the community.

The Canadian-based Israel Now movement has announced the formation of a new initiative, the "New Jewish Defense Force," aimed at confronting the escalating antisemitism and threats directed at the Jewish community in Canada. Meir Weinstein, director of Israel Now, stated that the group's primary focus will be on documenting the operations of hostile groups and individuals, conducting research, and gathering intelligence to address security threats.

Jewish businesses being targeted, shot up, Jews being attacked, violence against the Jewish community.

— Meir WeinsteinExplaining the urgent necessity behind the newly formed organization.

This launch comes in the wake of a recent surge in violent antisemitic incidents across Toronto. Over the past week, shootings targeted two locations of the Jewish-owned Kiva's Bagel Bar chain, a separate shooting occurred at the US Consulate, and the North York headquarters of INKAS Armored Vehicle Manufacturing was struck by gunfire. These events add to months of mounting tensions and prior attacks on Jewish community infrastructure, underscoring the urgent need for the new defense initiative.

the government of Canada is not really receptive to Jewish leadership in our community.

— Meir WeinsteinExpressing dissatisfaction with the government's response to antisemitism.

Weinstein expressed that established Jewish organizations have not been sufficiently effective and that "the government of Canada is not really receptive to Jewish leadership in our community." He emphasized the necessity for direct action, stating, "there needs to be action" beyond mere statements. The group aims to shift from a victimized stance to active community protection, with Weinstein declaring, "enough with the nonsense of reactions, we have work to do and we have to confront these pieces of garbage who are attacking our community."

enough with the nonsense of reactions, we have work to do and we have to confront these pieces of garbage who are attacking our community.

— Meir WeinsteinCalling for a decisive shift toward active community protection.

The "New Jewish Defense Force" intends to publish personal information of individuals identified as Hamas supporters, according to Weinstein. He urged supporters to join the movement and "fight back against those who threaten the Jewish Community. Enough being a victim!" Interested individuals are encouraged to connect with the movement through the official Israel Now website, with a new dedicated website for the defense force to be launched soon.

Now is the time to join the new Jewish Defense Force and fight back against those who threaten the Jewish Community. Enough being a victim!

— Meir WeinsteinUrging supporters to actively participate in the new defense initiative.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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