Jewish organizations and Canadian lawmakers expressed outrage after a Toronto man was convicted for making disturbing threats to bomb every shul in the city and kill as many Jewish people as possible.
Waisuddin Akbari, an Afghanistan-born owner of a shawarma restaurant, confided in car salesman Cameron Ahmad last March about his violent plans, as detailed in a November ruling from the Ontario Court of Justice. Ahmad reported the threats to the police, believing Akbari was serious about carrying out an attack.
Akbari, 41, visited Ahmad’s dealership for an oil change and to inquire about a potential vehicle upgrade. During the conversation, Akbari allegedly voiced concerns over financing a new car, claiming that interest payments would fund the Israeli government’s supposed genocide against Palestinians.
In court, Akbari said that it was Ahmad who had introduced the topic, adding that it wasn’t only Canadian finance going to Israel, but that Israel controlled global finance. Ahmad denied making such a claim.
Akbari argued that he raised the topic to end Ahmad’s sales advances, a reason that Justice Edward Prutsch described as “utterly bizarre,” given that Akbari had initially shown interest in buying a new car and there were far more effective ways to avoid the conversation than diving into a conspiracy theory.
The two discussed the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, during which Ahmad told the court he supported the Palestinian state and its innocent civilians.
Ahmad reportedly grew uneasy when Akbari allegedly responded by saying that, in retaliation for the alleged genocide of Palestinians, the Israeli state and the Jewish people should face genocide as well.
Akbari purportedly shared his belief that Israel controlled the world and was attempting to exterminate non-Jews, enslave humanity, and poison the earth. He further likened Israelis and Jews to insects that should be eradicated. Akbari claimed to the court that he was unable to pronounce the words “roaches” and “insects.”
Ahmad was reportedly stunned and frightened by Akbari’s calm and methodical demeanor while making these remarks.
“Before I go, I want you to remember my name and remember my face because the next time you see it, I’ll be on the news,” Akbari allegedly said before parting ways. “I know when I’m going to die because I’m going to plant a bomb in every synagogue in Toronto and blow them up to kill as many Jews as possible.”
In court, Akbari argued that he had been misheard, claiming instead that he had joked about bombing a casino because he couldn’t afford a new vehicle due to a gambling debt.
Ahmad, however, maintained that there was no doubt about what Akbari said and did not interpret his tone as joking. He consulted with a former police officer colleague and his older brother, who was serving in the Canadian military, for advice.
The day after the conversation, Akbari was arrested and charged with uttering threats.
In his testimony, Akbari claimed that he was unfamiliar with Judaism and only knew that Jews existed, but had no understanding of their religion or connection to Israel. He also stated that he didn’t know what a “synagogue” was.
Justice Prutsch found Akbari’s testimony disjointed and evasive, describing him as inconsistent and confusing. The judge also noted it was unlikely that Ahmad, who supported the Palestinian cause, would fabricate such detailed allegations about a mass murder threat from a complete stranger.
Following a report by Global News on the ruling, which had not been widely publicized, York Centre MP Ya’ara Saks expressed deep concern over the antisemitic threats.
“It is unacceptable that Jewish communities continue to live in fear because of such hateful rhetoric and actions,” Saks said in a statement on Wednesday. “In recent months, we have seen an alarming rise in antisemitic incidents, from shootings and vandalized synagogues to online threats and violent plots. These are not isolated incidents — they reflect a troubling increase in hate that we must confront together.”
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