Ahead of October 7, CIJA Warns Against Pro-Terror Protests on Canadian Campuses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, ON – October 1, 2026 – Next Wednesday, October 7, marks the third anniversary of the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust when Hamas murdered nearly 1,200 people, committed widespread sexual violence, and viciously kidnapped more than 250 hostages – including women, children and the elderly. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs released the following statement:

"On some Canadian campuses, the third anniversary of October 7 will be marked by protests glorifying the heinous attacks, honouring the terrorists as “martyrs” and calling for intifada -- which many of Canada's allies consider incitement to violence against Jews.

"This glorification of violence and terrorism has no place on campuses and administrations have a responsibility to ensure safe places for learning free from hate, particularly when such events are organized or supported by student groups and unions."

“These pro-terror protests come amid a warning from Canadian security agencies that 'over the longer term, an environment in which the targeting of the Jewish community as a group frequently occurs and becomes more normalized will likely influence some susceptible individuals towards violent extremist pathways.'

"In the days since the Yom Kippur attack in Belleville, that warning has taken on new urgency. We have seen a surge in serious threats and incidents targeting Jewish communities, including in Durham, Kitchener and Kingston.

"There have been some recent encouraging signs of action. Ontario’s new anti-racism and anti-hate directive strengthens universities’ responsibility to address hate and discrimination anywhere on campus, explicitly including student associations and groups.

"CIJA, alongside Hillels from across Canada, is calling on university administrators to safeguard their students and staff by preventing any protests inciting violence and taking immediate action to enforce their own rules of conduct when violations occur.

"We also call on the Government of Canada to follow its allies in strengthening tools to address the public glorification and promotion of terrorism. As Ministers Fraser and Anandasangaree affirmed last week: combatting antisemitism, which includes antizionism, is a matter of national security and requires urgent action."

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