46 Years After Paris Synagogue Bombing, CIJA Calls for Justice for Victims

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, ON—October 2, 2026—Ahead of the 46th anniversary of the deadly Paris Rue Copernic synagogue bombing, in which Hassan Diab has been convicted by a French court, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs issued the following statement:

“Simchat Torah is meant to be a joyous holiday. In 1980, a bombing at the Rue Copernic synagogue in Paris turned celebration into horror, killing four people and injuring dozens.

“Tomorrow marks 46 years since this deadly attack. Yet the person convicted of the crime, Hassan Diab, remains free in Canada and has even recently taught students at Carleton University.

“This is despite the fact that France ordered his extradition — a democratic ally whose judicial system provides protections to accused persons comparable to those afforded under Canada’s justice system.

“In the wake of deadly threats against Canadians—including last week’s attack on Belleville’s Sons of Jacob Synagogue—it is imperative that our leaders treat antisemitism as a national security threat and do everything in their power to hold perpetrators accountable.

“This must include the Canadian government respecting the French judicial decision and facilitating Mr. Diab’s extradition to France so that justice can be served to the  loved ones of the victims.”

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