Israeli minister urges Canada to do more to fight antisemitism, after father attack in front of kids

An Israeli minister says Canada must do more to fight antisemitism, following the attack this past weekend of a Jewish father assault while waking in a park with his children.  

The incident occurred Friday in a park in a Montreal suburb. The victim was sprayed with water and assaulted by an unknown man, who knocked the father to the ground and tossed away his yarmulke, Fox News reported on Wednesday. 

Police in Montreal announced the arrest of a 27-year-old suspect in connection with the assault on Monday.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney commented Saturday night on the Saturday.

"The attack on a Jewish father in Montreal late yesterday, in front of his own children, is an appalling act of violence. Everyone in Canada has an inalienable right to live in safety," Carney posted on X.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar criticized Canada's response before Carney's post.

Sharing a video of the attack on X, Sa’ar posted, "The incident shown in this video is shocking and stomach-turning. A Jewish father was beaten in front of his daughter in Montreal, Canada, yesterday. These are images reminiscent of dark periods of Jewish persecution. This is appalling. The Canadian government must do more to fight antisemitism!"

Israeli Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combatting Antisemitism Amichai Chikli told Fox News, "Canada had the chance to change course after the disaster of [former Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau’s tenure, but instead chose to continue marching toward the abyss. It is beyond doubt that a violent incident like the one we witnessed in Montreal draws direct inspiration from the tailwind Canada’s government, de facto, gives to Hamas."

"Canada is not yet at the stage of Belgium or the U.K. – both of which have become extremely dangerous for Jews – but it is headed there, slowly and inexorably," he added.