According to the indictment, Azar utilized an account on X to call for Canadian Jews to be "hunted down" and subjected to violent attacks referencing the assaults on Israeli soccer fans in the Netherlands.
Upon his arrest, authorities reportedly discovered three loaded firearms, ammunition, a folding knife, and devices used for credit card fraud in his possession. The indictment consists of 29 counts, including 19 hate crime-related charges and 10 additional firearm and criminal offenses.
Charges of advocating genocide are exceedingly rare in Canada and require the explicit approval of the Attorney General. Official records indicate that between 2018 and 2023, only four individuals were charged with this offense across the country.
Jewish community leaders have expressed deep concern over the case, warning that it reflects a dangerous escalation in antisemitic violence. Noah Shack, interim president of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, described the allegations as "chilling" and indicative of an individual who was methodical in his attacks on Jewish institutions.
The decision to release Azar on bail has sparked criticism from Jewish organizations, who question why a suspect accused of such serious offenses was allowed to return to the community under supervised conditions. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs publicly criticized the move, warning that it sends the wrong message about the severity of hate crimes.
Michael Gilmore, executive director of Kehillat Shaarei Torah, a synagogue attacked multiple times during the crime spree, praised law enforcement’s efforts but expressed frustration over the legal process. "The fact that this individual was emboldened to commit so many crimes speaks to a much larger issue in Canada," he said.
"Jew-hatred has become increasingly normalized, tolerated, and even justified. These crimes are not isolated incidents – they are symptoms of a deeper and more insidious problem that demands urgent attention from our elected officials at every level of government."
Kehillat Shaarei Torah, one of Azar’s alleged targets, experienced repeated acts of vandalism, starting with smashed windows and doors in April 2024, followed by further attacks in May and June. Signs outside the synagogue were set on fire in July, and a dead raccoon was left on the property, an act that congregants interpreted as a deliberate act of intimidation.
In a separate case, a vandal dressed as the antagonist from the horror film "Scream" defaced Jewish businesses, a community center, and a synagogue with anti-Israel graffiti in July.
Toronto police have underscored the gravity of the situation, noting that the city has witnessed a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Law enforcement officials have vowed to intensify efforts to combat hate crimes and ensure the safety of the Jewish community.
