The recent gunfire in the heart of Montreal's Jewish community echoed through the exact streets where I spent my childhood. Watching the news unfold from afar has been devastating. I did not flee Canada; I left it with profound love and deep appreciation.
The Montreal I knew was a magnificent mosaic of genuine coexistence. It was a vibrant metropolis where authentic Canadian values of liberty, mutual respect, and democracy were not mere political talking points, but a daily reality shared by people of countless backgrounds. Today, that enduring quiet and the profound sense of security that defined my youth have been shattered. The peaceful streets of my past are now overshadowed by the harsh specter of urban terror.
Official law enforcement investigations are still underway. Authorities might ultimately determine that this specific shooting was not a strictly nationalist incident. Yet, even if that proves to be the case, we must look reality squarely in the eye.
The very fact that our community's immediate, collective instinct was to assume a targeted antisemitic attack tells a harrowing story. It is a damning indictment of the current civic climate in Canada, one where violence directed at Jews has shifted from an unthinkable anomaly to a logical expectation.
This pervasive hostility did not materialize in a vacuum. For months, violent and unbridled pro-Palestinian incitement has been allowed to fester, often shielded by the noble concept of free speech. Radical elements have routinely hijacked university campuses and public squares, cultivating an environment of profound intimidation.
This relentless extremism is steadily cheapening Jewish life on Canadian soil. When federal and local authorities permit protests that openly glorify terrorism to proceed unchecked, the inevitable conclusion is live fire directed at Jewish neighborhoods. Shootings, firebombs hurled at synagogues, and physical assaults on Jewish citizens are rapidly becoming a horrifying new normal.
A resilient, deeply rooted community
The community that raised me is remarkably resilient and deeply rooted, yet it will no longer accept being a sitting target. It is past time for the Canadian government to abandon its dangerous complacency. Officials must stop turning a blind eye to the radicalization that currently masquerades as progressive political activism.
They must act with absolute resolve and completely dismantle these infrastructures of hatred from the root. Hollow words of comfort are no longer sufficient. Concrete, uncompromising action is required to restore the fundamental Canadian promise of safety for every citizen.
Israel embraces all Jews
Yet, while we demand absolute security for the Diaspora, we must also recognize our ultimate anchor. The State of Israel stands with open arms, ready to embrace any Jew who no longer feels safe in Canada or anywhere else. Crucially, our message extends far beyond offering a mere refuge from persecution. We enthusiastically welcome those who feel perfectly secure but simply wish to live out the Zionist dream.
From figures like Roman Gofman, Head of the Mossad, down to my own humble self, the diverse personal stories of Olim from across the globe illuminate a profound truth. Israel is not just a safe haven. It is the ultimate land of boundless opportunity for the Jewish people. We will continue to build our home, proud and unyielding, offering a glorious future for anyone who chooses to return.
MK Dan Illouz (Likud) was born in Montreal, Canada. He has served in the Knesset since 2023 and previously held a seat on the Jerusalem City Council from 2018 to 2021.