The EAJC condemns the attempted assassination of Prof. Irwin Cotler

Canadian authorities have foiled an assassination attempt targeting former Minister of Justice and human rights advocate Professor Irwin Cotler. Professor Cotler previously served as Canada's Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and is a long-standing authority in international law and a prominent figure in the fight against antisemitism. It has been established that Iranian agents were behind the conspiracy.

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) stands in solidarity with Prof. Irwin Cotler, extends its support to his family, and expresses its gratitude to the Canadian law enforcement agencies for preventing this crime. A thorough investigation must be conducted, and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.

Furthermore, the EAJC strongly condemns the actions of the organizers and potential perpetrators of this attempted assassination. Prof. Cotler is a distinguished human rights champion, an advocate for freedom and justice, a highly respected representative of the Canadian Jewish community, and a close friend of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress. This attempted assassination is nothing less than another act of unprecedented, barbaric terror sponsored and supported globally by the Iranian regime.

The President of the EAJC, Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, stated:

“Professor Cotler has repeatedly participated in projects of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, visited Jewish communities across the former Soviet Union, and possesses a profound understanding of the history of Russian-speaking Jewry. His contribution to the defense of Soviet refuseniks holds particular significance. Notably, Professor Cotler defended Natan Sharansky during his imprisonment in the Soviet Union. This attempt on his life is a alarming confirmation of the repeated warnings issued by the Congress leadership: for many years, Iran has posed a three-tiered threat to the global community—nuclear weapons, regional aggression, and hostile terrorist activity. This must be brought to an end.”