Jewish groups call for action against Iranian regime, uprisings continue

Jewish advocates are demanding the Canadian government finally crack down on the Iranian regime, calling for new penalties.

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Jewish advocates are demanding the Canadian government finally crack down on the Iranian regime, calling for new penalties, enforcement of terrorism laws against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the expulsion of Tehran’s agents living in Canada. This push comes as Iranians endure the 11th straight night of anti-regime protests and the six-year anniversary of the IRGC shooting down Flight PS752 approaches.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs released a statement Tuesday calling for the Liberal government to take immediate action. This action includes putting pressure on the Iranian regime and protecting Iranian-Canadians from regime agents still living in Canada.

“We stand with the brave people of Iran as they confront the oppressive Iranian regime – one of the world’s most dangerous threats to freedom, security, and people everywhere, including Canadians,” Noah Shack, the CEO of CIJA, said in the statement. “For nearly 50 years, the ayatollahs and the IRGC that keep them in power have brutally repressed their own people. Hundreds of thousands of Iranians have been persecuted, tortured, jailed, and murdered.

Shack noted that the fall of the Iranian regime could mean a safer global security landscape, as the Islamic regime remains the largest funder of terrorism in the world, primarily through its proxy groups: Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen.

“In Europe, Iranian missiles and drones – the same ones used to target Israelis – have wreaked havoc on Ukrainian civilians. In Australia, intelligence services have directly linked Iran to violence against citizens, including attacks on the Jewish community,” he added.

The statement noted the regime has targeted Canadians, and Thursday marks six years since the IRGC shot down flight PS752, killing 176 people, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents. Shack also noted reports from two years ago estimating that 700 Iranian regime agents live in Canada.

“Iranian agents have threatened Iranian Canadian citizens, targeted the life of a former justice minister, and used Canada as a platform to spread the regime’s radical agenda,” Shack said in the statement noting Prime Minister Mark Carney’s own statements touting that the regime poses a “fundamental risk” and that his government would do “everything” with Canada’s international partners to “check it.”

As protests continue in Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened military action against the regime if it continued to kill peaceful protesters. Videos shared on X by Iranian citizens show the regime has opened fire on protesters and raided hospitals to arrest injured activists since Trump’s threat.

On Friday, Global Affairs Canada told True North Canada it condemns the regime’s violence against its own citizens and touted its sanctions against the IRGC and Iranian officials, but the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is urging more action from the federal government.

CIJA is asking the federal government to “protect Canadians by removing Iranian regime-linked individuals from Canada and ensuring none enter our country,” saying the government must use “the full force” of Canada’s immigration, sanctions and asset-seizure laws.

The Jewish advocacy group also criticized the feds for not enforcing existing terrorism laws against the terrorist IRGC, despite the regime’s military arm being a listed terror group in Canada. CIJA called for investigations, prosecutions and a complete disruption of IRGC financing, intimidation and support networks operating in Canada.

“The Government of Canada should act urgently by advancing justice and accountability, including investigations and sanctions of Iranian officials involved in the repression of protesters in Iran, as well as expanded legal action related to Flight PS752,” the statement reads. “And working with allies to increase coordinated pressure on Iran, including tighter sanctions on its missile and drone programs, and support multilateral action to transition Iran toward a better future for the Iranian people without the IRGC.”