Jewish Real Estate Agent Attacked in Toronto Amid Rising Antisemitic Violence in North America

A 64-year-old Jewish real estate agent and lawyer, Joseph Biton, was brutally attacked in broad daylight in Toronto while visiting a commercial property for a client. The assailant, Abdulqader Al-Jalani, a 58-year-old Muslim from Yemen who identified as a Houthi, threw parking poles, metal objects, bricks, and stones at Biton before striking him with a wooden stick and hurling explicit antisemitic slurs. Biton, who was wearing a kippah, reported that the attacker threatened to kill him, accusing Israel of killing babies and committing genocide. Although Biton sustained only minor scratches and bruises, he emphasized the significant psychological trauma caused by the assault. He called 911, and police quickly arrested Al-Jalani, charging him with three counts of assault with a weapon and making death threats. The police are investigating the incident as a hate crime.

The attack occurred around 12:10 p.m. near Jane Street and West Lawrence Avenue. Biton reported the incident to Jewish organizations B'nai Brith and CIJA, expressing his distress that this is no longer the Canada he knew for 64 years. The Jewish Canadian community views this event as part of a troubling surge in antisemitic attacks across Canada.

This incident reflects a broader pattern of rising antisemitism across North America. A recent survey by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAM) found that 57 percent of American Jews experienced antisemitism in the past year, affecting approximately 3.3 million adults and 250,000 children. The survey also revealed that 71 percent believe antisemitism is worsening, with many Jews altering their daily behavior to avoid displaying Jewish symbols like the Star of David or kippah, similar to Biton's experience. Additionally, 73 percent of American Jews feel less safe since the October 7, 2023 attacks. CAM's international affairs director, Aharon Kiyak, noted that modern antisemitism unites extremists from both the far right and far left in harmful attitudes toward Jews despite their other ideological differences.