B'nai Brith, Jewish Security Network form intelligence partnership

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OTTAWA — Canada’s ongoing battle against antisemitism has prompted a partnership between two Canadian Jewish organizations.

On Thursday, B’nai Birth Canada announced what they described as a strategic partnership with the Jewish Security Network — a Toronto-based agency charged with monitoring and responding to the security needs of the city’s Jewish population.

“The goal is to strengthen collaboration between leading stakeholders here in the GTA to better ensure the safety, security and well being of members of the Jewish community,” said B’nai Brith Canada’s Richard Robertson.

Launched in 2024 by United Jewish Appeal (UJA,) the JSN is an independent agency that, according to Robertson, provides physical security to Jewish institutions and helps “fill the void” around some of the community’s security needs and infrastructure.

“B’nai Brith Canada has a long and recognized expertise in monitoring and combating antisemitism across Canada, but specifically within the GTA,” Robertson said, noting their role will largely consist of being an intelligence partner with JSN.

“Our involvement with the JSN bolsters their ability to provide physical security to the Jewish community here in the GTA.”

Two months ago, Robertson released B’nai Brith Canada’s annual audit of antisemitic incidents that outlined 6,219 incidents of anti-Jewish hatred across the country — a 7.4% increase from 2023, and a 124% increase since 2022.

Canada’s experienced an explosion of antisemitism after the Oct. 7, 2023 Israel terror attacks, with near-weekly anti-Israel protests unfolding on city streets, malls and transit hubs, with synagogues, schools, Jewish-owned businesses and neighbourhoods becoming common targets of activists and vandals.

“Institutions like the JSN have existed to secure Jewish communities around the world for some time and, unfortunately, given the rise in antisemitism here in Canada, it’s needed to ensure the safety, well-being and the vitality of our community,” Robertson said.

“It’s not meant to replace law enforcement, but it allows an additional layer of protection that hopefully can complement law enforcement.”

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