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In a groundbreaking legal move, a Toronto court has indicted Amir Arvahi Azar, 32, on charges of "advocating genocide" against Jews, marking an unprecedented case in Canada's legal history. Azar, who was arrested after an eight-month spree of antisemitic hate crimes, is accused of inciting violence against the Jewish community through social media posts and direct attacks on Jewish institutions.
According to the indictment, Azar utilized an account on X to call for Canadian Jews to be "hunted down" and subjected to violent attacks referencing the assaults on Israeli soccer fans in the Netherlands.
One of his posts, dated November 9, 2024, he wrote to "my brothers, it’s time to escalate like Amsterdam," and urged to "hunt down every genocidal Jew and do to them what they do to Palestinians," accompanied by instructions on how to avoid leaving digital traces and remain anonymous while carrying out acts of violence.
Another post featured an emoji of the Palestinian flag and said to "treat every Zionist as a terrorist no matter their position in society. From police to politicians, from teachers to doctors. It’s our human right to do so."
Investigators claim that Azar specifically targeted Jewish-owned businesses and synagogues in Toronto. Among the incidents attributed to him is the arson of signs expressing solidarity with hostages abducted by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. The accused also allegedly left threatening messages at the Forest Hill Jewish Center and caused property damage at various Jewish sites across the city.
Upon his arrest, authorities reportedly discovered three loaded firearms, ammunition, a folding knife, and devices used for credit card fraud in his possession. The indictment consists of 29 counts, including 19 hate crime-related charges and 10 additional firearm and criminal offenses.
Charges of advocating genocide are exceedingly rare in Canada and require the explicit approval of the Attorney General. Official records indicate that between 2018 and 2023, only four individuals were charged with this offense across the country.
Jewish community leaders have expressed deep concern over the case, warning that it reflects a dangerous escalation in antisemitic violence. Noah Shack, interim president of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, described the allegations as "chilling" and indicative of an individual who was methodical in his attacks on Jewish institutions.
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The decision to release Azar on bail has sparked criticism from Jewish organizations, who question why a suspect accused of such serious offenses was allowed to return to the community under supervised conditions. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs publicly criticized the move, warning that it sends the wrong message about the severity of hate crimes.
Michael Gilmore, executive director of Kehillat Shaarei Torah, a synagogue attacked multiple times during the crime spree, praised law enforcement’s efforts but expressed frustration over the legal process. "The fact that this individual was emboldened to commit so many crimes speaks to a much larger issue in Canada," he said.
"Jew-hatred has become increasingly normalized, tolerated, and even justified. These crimes are not isolated incidents – they are symptoms of a deeper and more insidious problem that demands urgent attention from our elected officials at every level of government."
Kehillat Shaarei Torah, one of Azar’s alleged targets, experienced repeated acts of vandalism, starting with smashed windows and doors in April 2024, followed by further attacks in May and June. Signs outside the synagogue were set on fire in July, and a dead raccoon was left on the property, an act that congregants interpreted as a deliberate act of intimidation.
The attacks on Jewish sites in Toronto are not isolated incidents. Since the October 7 massacre, antisemitic violence in the city has surged. Among other incidents, a Jewish elementary school was shot at three times, and a man was arrested for an attempted attack on a Toronto synagogue.
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In a separate case, a vandal dressed as the antagonist from the horror film "Scream" defaced Jewish businesses, a community center, and a synagogue with anti-Israel graffiti in July.
Toronto police have underscored the gravity of the situation, noting that the city has witnessed a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Law enforcement officials have vowed to intensify efforts to combat hate crimes and ensure the safety of the Jewish community.
The case is expected to draw significant attention, both for its legal implications and for what it reveals about the growing threat posed by radicalized individuals in Canada. Azar is scheduled to appear in court on April 28, where he will face what legal experts describe as a challenging prosecution, given the high threshold required for proving the charge of advocating genocide.