In a press conference held Saturday morning in Nepean, Ontario, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre delivered a resolute message to Jewish Canadians, addressing the alarming rise in antisemitic incidents since the October 7 terror attacks. He emphasized the unprecedented nature of recent hate crimes, stating, “The rampage and chaos that we see in our streets, the targeting of synagogues and Jewish schools with hate, vandalism, violence, firebombings of synagogues – these things were unheard of 10 years ago.”
Poilievre criticized the current government’s handling of these issues, asserting that the Liberal Party has fostered division through inconsistent messaging. He declared, “The Jewish community feels, understandably, under siege as these hate marches and antisemitic outbursts have become an unfortunate part of Canadian life – and frankly, the Liberals have encouraged these divisions.”
Reassuring the Jewish community, Poilievre affirmed, “The message to Canada’s Jewish community is that you are not alone. Canadians stand with you, you have the right to wear your Star of David, your kippah, and have your mezuzah on your door. You should feel proud to be Jewish, and you should never have to hide your Jewishness in order to stay safe.”
I had the opportunity to ask the leader of the Conservatives how he’d treat Canada’s Israel policy if elected, and what steps he’ll take to protect Canadian Jews from the onslaught of hate and antisemitism in Canada since Oct. 7. Here’s what he said: pic.twitter.com/8gxL08nMWj
— Bryan Passifiume (@BryanPassifiume) April 12, 2025
Poilievre’s statements underscore a commitment to combating antisemitism and ensuring the safety and dignity of Jewish Canadians. His remarks resonate strongly with pro-Israel and Zionist communities seeking decisive leadership in the face of rising hate crimes.