A chilling premonition hangs over Canada. Security experts and former diplomats are voicing a stark warning: a terror attack mirroring the recent deadly assault on Bondi Beach in Australia – where fifteen lives were lost – is not a question of *if*, but *when*. The shadow of October 7th, and the surge in antisemitism that followed, has fundamentally altered the threat landscape.
Artur Wilczynski, a former Canadian ambassador and senior national security official, expressed deep concern, stating that a single failure within Canada’s security apparatus could have devastating consequences. The vulnerability stems from a disturbing trend: the normalization of extremist rhetoric, once confined to the fringes, now openly echoing in everyday spaces.
The Bondi Beach attack, perpetrated by Sajid Akram and his son Naveed, serves as a terrifying example. The father was killed by police, while the son remains in custody, accused of unleashing violence during a Hanukkah celebration. This echoes a growing pattern of radicalization, and the potential for familial involvement in extremist acts.
Since the Hamas attacks of October 7th, Canada has witnessed an alarming escalation in anti-Jewish hatred. Regular anti-Israel marches, even within Jewish neighbourhoods, have become commonplace. Casey Babb, a senior fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, notes a disturbing shift – extremist language, previously unheard outside of extremist enclaves, is now openly discussed in public.
Data confirms this unsettling trend. Terrorism-related charges in Canada have surged by nearly 500% in the year following October 7th. This isn’t merely a statistical anomaly; it’s a clear indication of a rapidly escalating threat, leaving many feeling an attack is “right around the corner.”
Former Canadian ambassador to Israel, Vivian Bercovici, places blame squarely on officials and politicians who have allowed extremism to flourish. She points to the blatant disregard for laws prohibiting hate speech during anti-Israel protests, and a disturbing lack of enforcement. The message, she argues, is that inciting hatred and violence carries no consequences.
The perceived inaction of law enforcement is fueling a crisis of confidence within the Jewish community. A recent incident involving a Toronto Police officer cheerfully delivering coffee to activists illegally blocking a major highway epitomizes this perceived indifference. Many now believe the police “just don’t care,” eroding trust and leaving communities feeling vulnerable.
Recent thwarted attacks paint a grim picture of the dangers Canada faces. A 15-year-old in Ottawa was arrested for allegedly plotting an attack targeting Jews, possessing explosive materials and bomb-making instructions. In Edmonton, a man allegedly stormed City Hall armed with a rifle and Molotov cocktails, fueled by rhetoric surrounding the conflict in Gaza.
The case of Zachareah Adam Quraishi, a former Canadian Armed Forces member who travelled to Israel with the intent to murder soldiers, and the arrest of a Toronto-area youth linked to a terrorist group, further underscore the breadth of the threat. These incidents are not isolated events; they represent a disturbing pattern of radicalization and violent intent.
Perhaps most chillingly, parallels are being drawn between Canada and the Bondi Beach shootings, specifically regarding the recent arrest of Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi and his son. Arrested in connection with a foiled terror plot, the elder Eldidi had recently become a Canadian citizen despite a history of involvement in a horrific ISIS torture video. This raises serious questions about vetting processes and the potential for individuals with extremist backgrounds to slip through the cracks.
While security officials have successfully prevented numerous attacks, Babb warns that the current situation is unsustainable. “You can only play Whack-a-Mole for so long,” he states, acknowledging the immense pressure on Canada’s security services and the growing inevitability of a devastating attack if the current trajectory continues.
