When Global Conflicts Come Home: How the Israel-Palestine Situation Is Testing Canadian Communities
Israel-Palestine-Canada. Art credit: Matt Vardy
I’m no foreign policy expert—just a Canadian who, like many of you, feels the weight of this distant conflict on our doorstep. It’s become impossible to ignore how headlines about the Israel-Palestine crisis echo into our neighbourhoods, our conversations and our sense of safety. My goal here is simple: to share clear, non‑partisan information grounded in facts and real‑world impacts. I hope this overview sheds light on what’s happening at home—socially, politically and electorally—so we can discuss, empathize and decide with our eyes wide open.
The Human Side of a Global Crisis
Walk through many Canadian cities today and the fear is palpable in places you might not expect. Our Jewish neighbours—around 335,295 strong, or just 0.9% of Canada’s population¹—have been disproportionately targeted. In 2023 alone, hate incidents against Jewish communities rose by 162%². Synagogues, schools and community centres now dedicate significant portions of their budgets to security³, just so families can gather without fear. As of April 2025, an estimated 59 Israeli hostages—mostly civilians and soldiers—remain in Gaza following the Hamas-led October 7 attacks. Of those, 35 are believed dead and 24 are still unaccounted for⁴. The grief surrounding this hostage crisis remains raw, with families holding regular vigils to keep attention on their loved ones.
Meanwhile, Canada’s Muslim population—approximately 1.7 million people, or 4.9% of the country⁵—also faces rising Islamophobia. With 65% of Muslim Canadians calling for an immediate Gaza ceasefire⁶, their fears are rooted not only in personal safety but in the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding abroad. The memory of the 2017 Quebec City mosque shooting⁷ still lingers, underscoring how hate can escalate into violence. As of April 2025, more than 33,000 Palestinians—most reported to be women and children—have been killed since Israel’s military campaign began in response to Hamas’s attack³². Gaza’s infrastructure and health systems have collapsed, fuelling accusations of genocide by international observers. For many Muslims in Canada, this is more than a geopolitical issue—it’s a source of deep personal anguish.
Political Responses as Election Day Nears
With Canadians heading to the polls on April 28, 2025, party platforms can’t dodge this issue. Each major party is staking out its ground—and that shapes how communities feel heard, protected or overlooked.
Liberal Party: From Trudeau’s Clarity to Carney’s Cautious Pivot
When Justin Trudeau was at the helm, his government quickly condemned Hamas’s October 2023 attacks while urging Israel to allow humanitarian aid⁸. But mounting concerns over civilian suffering led to a partial embargo on arms exports to Israel.
Mark Carney, stepping into Trudeau’s shoes, hasn’t strayed far from this path. Yet his wording often leaves observers asking, "What does Canada really stand for?" In March 2025, when a protester shouted "Stop the genocide," Carney replied, "We have called for an arms embargo and we are following through with that"⁹—comments that Prime Minister Netanyahu later criticized as tacit approval of the phrase¹⁰. Meanwhile, revelations about $78.8 million worth of artillery propellants still shipped to Israel via the U.S. have only deepened questions about the embargo’s teeth¹¹.
Then there was the moment when MP Adam van Koeverden called conditions in Gaza a “genocide”¹², a stark departure from the party’s careful language. In response, Carney has pledged tougher laws to protect places of worship from harassment¹³—but communities are waiting to see if words match deeds.
Conservative Party: Poilievre’s Unwavering Backing and Tough Talk
Pierre Poilievre has been clear: Canada must stand firmly with Israel’s right to self‑defence. He accuses Liberals of mixed messages and wants to root out antisemitism with stronger enforcement measures¹⁴. Poilievre has even proposed deporting foreign nationals involved in what he has termed “hate marches”¹⁵—an idea that thrills some voters and alarms others worried about free expression. Supporters of this proposal argue the issue isn't peaceful protest or calls for a ceasefire—which even many Israelis openly support—but rather overt hate speech, including slogans or signs that promote violence against Jews. They maintain that while freedom of speech is a Canadian value, hate speech, especially from temporary residents, crosses a legal and moral line. His platform also pledges to defund groups deemed antisemitic¹⁶. It’s hard‑line politics that resonates with certain constituencies, especially in ridings where Jewish voters hold sway.
New Democratic Party: Singh’s Call for Justice and Peace
Jagmeet Singh has made clear his stance: an immediate ceasefire, a halt to military trade with Israel and formal recognition of Palestinian statehood¹⁷. He’s used strong language, labelling the Gaza situation “genocide” when many international observers did the same¹⁸. For the NDP, the focus is humanitarian: protect civilians, uphold human rights and push Canada to be a constructive peacebroker.
Riding the Demographic Wave
In strategic urban centres—Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver—Jewish votes can tip the balance, even as they account for under 1% nationally¹⁹. Muslim communities, at 4.9% of the population, also sway key suburban and inner‑city ridings²⁰. Parties know this, which makes their positions on the conflict more than just global posturing—they’re vital electoral levers.
Building Bridges: Action and Solidarity
In response to rising tensions, governments and grassroots leaders have turned to funding, dialogue and hands‑on solidarity. Ontario earmarked over $20 million for security upgrades in Jewish and Muslim institutions²¹, because locks and cameras are only half the story.
The real strength lies in neighbours choosing solidarity over division. In Peterborough in 2015, after Masjid Alsalam was firebombed, Beth Israel Synagogue opened its doors for Friday prayers³⁰. Groups like the Montreal Dialogue Group, founded in 2003, have been convening Muslims and Jews for interfaith events for decades²⁷. In Ottawa, Jewish Family Services and Muslim Family Services partnered after the 2021 Israel‑Gaza flare‑up to offer joint mental health support²⁸.
Polls might show strained relations between communities²³, but everyday reality often tells a different story. In March 2024, Vancouver saw Jewish and Muslim volunteers distributing food at Purim and Ramadan events²⁴—a simple act that speaks volumes.
Educational initiatives reinforce this: the March of Remembrance and Hope brings Muslim and Jewish youth together annually to learn about the Holocaust and the dangers of intolerance²⁹. The Canadian Somali‑Jewish Mentorship Project, active since 2010, pairs mentors across faith lines to share experiences and break down stereotypes³⁰.
On a national level, civic groups like Allies for a Strong Canada and federal partnerships targeting hate crimes send a clear message: Canada does not tolerate hate²⁵²⁶.
A Personal Call to Action
Stories of solidarity give me hope. We can’t rewrite what’s happening half a world away, but we can choose how we treat our neighbours here. Protection, policy and political promises matter—especially when people feel unsafe in places meant to be sacred.
But hope alone isn’t enough. We need action from our leaders—laws that keep places of worship safe, clear stances that don’t leave room for confusion and genuine efforts to bridge divides. As you head to the polls on April 28, think not just about foreign policy soundbites, but about the kind of Canada you want to live in: one where empathy triumphs over fear and where solidarity isn’t just an idea, but a lived reality.
(Sources)
