It was a privilege and an honour for members of the Canadian Jewish Law Association (CJLA) to participate in a delegation of Canadian lawyers invited to Israel, sponsored by the Israeli Consul General to Canada in collaboration with Lawyers Combating Antisemitism. The delegation included three representatives from CJLA, Jeff Leon, Jill Mayer, and Leora Shemesh, who joined colleagues from across Canada to see firsthand and hear directly from Israeli officials, jurists, and civil society leaders about the realities following October 7.
The experience was deeply emotional, intellectually challenging, and profoundly impactful. While time has passed since the delegation returned, the significance of what was seen and learned has not faded.
During the visit, the delegation travelled to Israel’s southern border with Gaza and received briefings from representatives of the Israel Defense Forces. Members visited Kibbutz Nir Oz and the site of the Nova music festival massacre, where they met with survivors and bore witness to the scale and brutality of the attacks. These moments underscored the human cost of terrorism and the lasting trauma carried by communities directly affected.
Beyond these visits, the delegation engaged in extensive discussions with Israeli government officials, non-governmental organizations, and legal professionals. Topics included combating antisemitism and extremism, national security and counter-terrorism efforts, the role of financial intelligence in disrupting terrorist activity, the phenomenon of lawfare, international media reporting on Gaza, Israel’s military legal system, humanitarian law, and the use of technology and innovation in countering antisemitism.
CJLA representatives also met with a judge of the Israeli Supreme Court and the Head of the Israeli Bar, participated in briefings at Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, and met with representatives of the Druze community. The delegation further had the opportunity to interact with Israeli business leaders, offering additional perspective on how October 7 has reshaped Israeli society beyond the legal and security spheres.
What left the strongest impression was the clarity and candour of the conversations. Israelis spoke openly about the rise of antisemitism across Canada and the global Jewish diaspora since October 7. They recognized the pressure Jewish communities are facing and expressed a desire to help through education, accuracy, and the sharing of reliable information. For legal professionals, this emphasis resonated deeply.
The delegation also observed how profoundly October 7 has altered daily life in Israel. The breach of security, the ongoing anguish surrounding hostages, the destruction and loss of life, and the sustained spread of misinformation internationally have taken a significant toll. While resilience and resolve remain strong, there is also a palpable sense of vulnerability and, at times, helplessness.
These realities reinforce why engagement matters. Silence is not neutral. For those with professional credibility, legal training, and public platforms, there is a responsibility to confront antisemitism and misinformation, both at home and abroad.
CJLA is grateful for the opportunity to listen, learn, and bear witness. The responsibility that comes with this experience continues. We will be following up to translate these learnings into future action plans that advance education, advocacy, and the rule of law in Canada.