Statement from Hikma Public Affairs Council on the Arson Incident in North London

June 20, 2024

Hikma Public Affairs Council continues to follow the case concerning the Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian terror arson attack very closely.

On June 14, 2024, the London Police Service identified Genadi Nacshonov as the perpetrator of this act of terror. The London Police Service charged the terrorist with 7 offences, including “arson with disregard for human life”, and issued an arrest warrant against him. However, the local authorities believe that he has fled Canada.  

We strongly believe that some politicians and officials are directly responsible for the heightened fear that the Muslim and Palestinian communities in Canada are currently experiencing. Since October 2023, many public officials have demonized anyone and everyone that stands up for Palestinian human rights and calls for an end to the genocide. Canadian foreign policies have also dehumanized the entire Palestinian population, allowing Israel, the occupying power, to commit a barbaric and genocidal campaign of terror against a defenceless civilian population, killing over 37,000 individuals, 26,000 of whom are women and children.

This continued dehumanization of individuals, here in Canada and abroad, calling for an end to the genocide has made it easy for this terrorist to burn a private residence, with the intention of burning along with it its residents, only because of a lawn sign that simply calls for standing with Palestinian human rights.

This terror attack was the clear definition of Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian hatred. We call on our public officials to categorize it as such. Any attempts by officials to wordsmith their way out of saying both the words “Islamophobia” and “anti-Palestinian” hatred is only fueling the problem even further.

We call on the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to formally and immediately request from the relevant governments that the perpetrator of this act of terror be extradited back to Canada to face justice and be held accountable. This is the very least that the Canadian Government can do to protect its own citizens, right here at home.

Hikma Public Affairs Council also notes, with deep appreciation, the efforts of the London Police Service to identify the perpetrator of this act of terror and their continued efforts to support and protect the community in London. 

As we witness a sharp rise in Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian hatred, including instances such as this act of terror, we continue to work closely with the London Police Service and other community partners to address the root causes of such hatred.

We will continue to follow this case closely until the perpetrator of this terror attack is brought to justice.

Hikma Public Affairs Council