This week marks the 24th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, a moment that has prompted reflection on the Canadian government's stance against hate and extremism. Critics argue that Canada has lost the moral clarity it once had in addressing these issues.

On Tuesday, Israel conducted an airstrike in Doha, Qatar, targeting senior Hamas officials linked to the October 7 massacre. The Israeli government made it clear that it would not allow leaders of a terrorist organization, which has held Israeli hostages for nearly two years, to find refuge in other nations. This approach echoes the doctrine of former U.S. President George W. Bush, who stated, "We will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists."

In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, Canada aligned itself with democratic values, sending troops to Afghanistan to dismantle the Taliban regime and eliminate al-Qaida terrorists. However, critics say that Canada's response to recent events has been less assertive. Following the airstrike, Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned Israel's actions, calling them an "intolerable expansion of violence" and an affront to Qatar's sovereignty. He praised Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for his role in peace negotiations, despite the lack of a lasting ceasefire over the past 23 months.

This condemnation comes amid a rise in violent hate crimes against Jews in Canada. Recently, a 70-year-old Jewish woman was stabbed in the kosher section of an Ottawa supermarket. In response, Montreal MP Anthony Housefather, along with 31 Liberal colleagues, issued a letter denouncing the violence targeting the Jewish community and advocating for public policy changes. Notably, the letter did not receive signatures from the other 137 Liberal MPs, including Prime Minister Carney and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland.

Housefather's letter focused solely on protecting Canadian Jews from violence, yet the majority of Liberal MPs chose not to endorse it. Housefather explained that the letter was drafted quickly over a holiday weekend and that it was initially intended to come from the Jewish caucus. He noted, "Virtually everyone who was asked signed on," indicating that some members of the governing party declined to support the condemnation of violence against Jews.

This situation raises questions about the willingness of the Liberal leadership to address antisemitism. Housefather's efforts highlight a divide within the party, as he has been one of the few members consistently advocating for the Jewish community. The lack of broader support for the letter may reflect either the powerlessness of backbenchers or a conscious decision by the leadership to remain silent on the issue.