Jewish Real Estate Agent Attacked in Toronto Amid Rising Antisemitism

Joseph Biton, a 64-year-old Jewish real estate agent and lawyer from Toronto, was violently attacked on Tuesday afternoon while managing a commercial property near Jane Street and Lawrence West. Wearing a kippah openly, Biton was targeted by a man who threw bricks and metal objects at him, shouting antisemitic slurs accusing Jews of committing genocide. The assailant, who identified himself as Yemeni and Houthi, assaulted Biton for over half an hour, causing scrapes and bruises, while bystanders failed to intervene.

Biton immediately called 911 during the attack, reporting the assault and death threats. Despite numerous witnesses at a nearby bus stop and surrounding areas, only one tenant attempted to help by creating distance between Biton and the attacker. Biton refrained from using physical force to avoid legal repercussions, maintaining a safe distance throughout the incident.

Toronto police arrested the suspect, identified as 58-year-old Abdulqadir Al-Jalani, charging him with three counts of assault with a weapon and one count of uttering death threats. Authorities are investigating the case as a potential hate crime, with prosecutors considering hate motivation as an aggravating factor if convicted.

In a Facebook post after the attack, Biton expressed his shock and disappointment, stating, "This is not the Canada I have lived in for 64 years." The incident highlights a troubling rise in antisemitic acts in Canada, following recent events such as the fatal shooting of Michael Mizrahi in Montreal. Biton's case underscores growing concerns about safety and tolerance for Jewish communities in the country.