Former Netanyahu spokesman on Canada’s anti-Israel ‘domestic extremism problem’

Eylon Levy, a former spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and now the head of an organization of citizens “speaking up for Israel and the Jewish People” since the October 7 attack, says Canada is in danger of being defined by hateful extremism.

In a post on his X account on Nov. 11, he wrote: “Canada has a domestic extremism problem.”

Levy is referring to anti-Israel protests in Canada, specifically to the mobs that appeared at two of his recent cross-Canada speaking appearances in Calgary and Montreal. In both instances, says Levy, protesters wore the Arabic keffiyeh and chanted “Allahu Akbar.” In its most benign expression, that merely means God is great. But at protests, says Levy, it’s a threat, “a jihadi war cry.”

Speaking with the National Post from his office in Tel Aviv this week, he noted yet another barrage of rockets was incoming, with warning sirens going off outside. “It’s depressing. This has become routine.”

“I heard them while I was inside speaking… Halfway through the talk, security interrupted and said we had to leave ‘now’… We were told to exit through another door on the other side of the building.” A video of the incident that he posted on X, shows an angry mob outside the lecture hall where Levy was speaking, blocked from entry by a wall of university security guards.

Writing about the incident, he said: “This is the welcome I received at the University of Calgary: an Islamist mob chanting “Allahu Akbar!” Canada, you’re in big trouble. These are not political protests. These are jihadi war cries. Don’t let this hateful extremism define Canada.”

During his interview with the Post, he said: “What you see is the logical conclusion of a campaign, since October 7, that seeks to paint Israel as evil…They don’t see Israel as a democratic country (opposing terrorist groups).”

He says one student came into the lecture hall to challenge him. “When she started denying the October 7 atrocity, she was asked to leave…The October 7 attack energized the anti-Israel movement and sparked celebrations of it as a glorious act of resistance.”

“Definitely, some people on the pro-Palestinian side think they are supporting the underdog. It’s part of the left-wing belief that they are fighting against oppression. They think they’re fighting for the little guy. But the protesters chanting “Allah Akbar” know exactly what they’re doing. They see the small Jewish state as an affront to Arabs in the Middle East. They think they should rule the region.”

“I was speaking at a synagogue. Protesters violated a court order to stay 50 metres from it. They were wearing masks and the keyyifeh. These symbols are scary for Jewish people.”

While he didn’t hear this himself, he was told there were chants of support for the Arab “intifada,” which he interprets as incitement of terrorism against Jews. “We had to leave through a side entrance (escorted by private security hired for the event).”

Levy also made appearances in Toronto and Vancouver during his speaking tour but says those events “passed without incident.”

Levy’s principal focus for Canada is on foreign policy — specifically in “standing up for Israel as it faces enemy armies on its borders.” When Canada doesn’t voice strong support for Israel, he says, “it sends a signal of separation from Israel to (Canada’s) allies.”

He says Canada is a principal donor to the UNWRA (United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine). In fact, Canada announced a $65-million donation to the agency in May. However, Israel has alleged since the October 7 attacks that some UNRWA staff were involved, and that more than 450 were members of terrorist organizations.

UNRWA ran schools in Gaza, which means many children attended “terrorist-run facilities,” says Levy. “That agency exists to push peace away,” he says. “Canada ending its support for UNRWA would definitely be a very positive step.”

UNRWA has disputed the claims in a public statement.

He points to the lack of international pressure on Hamas to clarify if the remaining hostages are alive or dead. The Red Cross has told Prime Minister Netanyahu there is no point in trying to deal with Hamas on this, says Levy.

He would welcome Canadian government pressure in finding answers.

“Lots of Israelis feel isolated and betrayed. We thought the international community would stand by Israel’s side…It’s important the war doesn’t end with the terrorists thinking they (prevailed).”

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