(Ottawa) The war between Israel and Hamas has given rise to an increase in “violent rhetoric” from “extremist actors”, which could encourage some in Canada to turn to violence, warns the Canadian Security Service security intelligence (CSIS).
The warning comes as newly released documents illustrate discussions last fall between the intelligence agency, the federal Department of Public Safety and Muslim and Jewish leaders over the reported increase in hate crimes sparked by conflict.
Spokesman Eric Balsam stressed that beyond the long-term effects that are difficult to predict at this point, the conflict has clearly “increased tensions” in Canada.
He added that “violent rhetoric from some extremist actors” had increased since the war broke out, which could influence “some individuals to turn to violence” as the conflict continues.
The agency’s role is to monitor and identify any threats and alert the government. This does not include legal protests and dissent, which are protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Balsam said.
Documents released to The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act detail summaries of discussions federal officials had separately with Jewish and Muslim leaders about the ongoing unrest in Canada.
One of those documents states that CSIS officials “assured all participants that they would continue to monitor threats and search for evidence of planned attacks.”
The agency remains in talks with leaders of the Muslim and Jewish communities to hear their concerns, Mr. Balsam assured.
Concerns of Muslim groups
During their meetings, federal officials heard Muslim and Arab leaders express concern about public discourse around the war, including what one participant said was a “silence” from the government on the impact that the situation in the Middle East would have on the security of Palestinians and other Muslims living in Canada.
Concerns have also been raised about freedom of expression.
“Activists are facing backlash, being labeled anti-Semitic and facing various consequences for shouting slogans such as ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’, as well as for calling for an ‘intifada’ “, we can read.
In Arabic, intifada is a word that notably means getting rid of oppression. In English, it is most often associated with two periods of particular intensity in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, which included a series of attacks by Palestinian terrorist groups on public places in Israel.
Community leaders also told authorities that activists were “heavily monitored” and “their right to free expression was being stifled,” the memo said.
Internal emails sent to Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner Mike Duheme, also obtained through the Access to Information Act, show officers recording chants and slogans during what was presented like a pro-Palestinian demonstration organized in Toronto at the end of October.
“It is still legal and does not appear to be escalating to violence,” wrote Deputy Commissioner Mark Flynn.
Jewish leaders against hateful rhetoric
Jewish leaders, along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and others, have denounced instances of protesters glorifying Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel during demonstrations in cities across Canada.
One of these incidents remains under investigation by Ottawa police.
The documents highlight how federal officials consistently heard from Jewish leaders about the need for police to take more action to stop “hateful rhetoric expressed at rallies.” The use of the term “Zionist” is specifically highlighted.
“As an overwhelming majority of Jews identify as Zionists and believe in the necessity of a Jewish state […], calls for attacks against Zionists should be considered calls for attacks against Jews. »
The memo says the RCMP is equipping its front-line members with a “toolkit” explaining the historical context of the conflict to help officers “identify signs of overt and covert hatred that may be observed during protests.”
National police also encouraged local police to pay attention to Jewish-owned businesses and schools, not just synagogues and community centers, according to a November 29 summary.
Situation of universities
The documents also indicate that Public Safety Canada would contact universities “to discuss mitigating growing tensions and anti-Semitism on campus.” They later clarified that the ministry was providing information to schools “on the current threat environment.”
In the months that followed, protesters set up pro-Palestinian encampments at McGill University, the University of Ottawa, the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and, most recently, the University of Toronto .
University administrators say hate will not be tolerated, warning that students will be punished if they do not follow university policy.