A shocking new report has revealed that Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian hate crimes have surged dramatically across Canada since the start of Israel's war on Gaza on October 7, 2023. In some areas, these incidents have risen by as much as 1,800 percent, sparking urgent calls for action against growing racism and discrimination.

The report, titled Documenting the 'Palestine Exception', was published by York University's Islamophobia Research Hub and authored by Nadia Hasan. It highlights a "sharp and dangerous" rise in Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism (APR), and anti-Arab racism (AAR) over the last 21 months, affecting multiple aspects of life for Canadian Muslims and Arab communities.

Speaking at a press conference in Ottawa, Hasan stressed that the rise in hate has impacted workplaces, education, public safety, and community well-being. The study gathered data from 16 Canadian organisations, official statistics, and media reports, showing that discrimination has become more widespread and aggressive since October 2023.

Toronto Police Services reported a 1,600 percent increase in anti-Palestinian and Islamophobic hate crimes between October 7 and November 20, 2023, compared to the same period the previous year. Statistics Canada also recorded a 94 percent rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes and a 52 percent increase in incidents targeting Arabs and West Asians.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) documented a 1,300 percent jump in Islamophobia cases in the month following October 7, which later climbed to 1,800 percent for the year. The Muslim Legal Support Centre (MLSC) logged 474 human rights complaints from October 2023 to March 2024, including 345 cases of people losing jobs for supporting Palestine.

The Legal Centre for Palestine also reported a 600 percent increase in anti-Palestinian racism cases within just eight months. Community leaders are now urging authorities to address this crisis before it further threatens Canada's social harmony and human rights record.

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