UMVA has learned that a disturbing wave of antisemitism has washed over Toronto, with a recent attack on a synagogue leaving a community on edge.
The incident occurred at Mishkan Avraham, a Jewish house of worship located at 2797 Bathurst St. in North York, where a broken window and a bullseye sticker were discovered. The sticker, typically used with laser and optical measuring instruments, has raised questions about whether the location was intentionally targeted by antisemites.
The Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit is investigating the attack, but details remain scarce. The police have described the incident as "mischief damage," with officers responding to reports of damage at the synagogue on Bathurst St. and Glencairn Ave.
The attack has sparked fears about safety in the community, particularly with the annual Walk with Israel event scheduled to take place on Sunday morning in the same neighborhood. B’nai Brith Canada’s Director of Research and Advocacy, Richard Robertson, condemned the attack, stating that it exemplifies the gravity of the national crisis of antisemitism.
Robertson called for leadership at all levels, including the Prime Minister and the federal government, to take action to address the root causes of antisemitism and respond to its continued occurrence with urgency. The incident has also raised concerns about the city's response to hate crimes, with some feeling that authorities are not doing enough to prevent such attacks.
This latest attack comes on the heels of a similar incident in Montreal, where a synagogue was damaged in an alleged overnight arson attempt. The Toronto Police have indicated that they are trying to prevent issues while balancing demonstrators' charter right to protest with the need to prevent hate speech.
Deputy Chief Frank Barredo stated that hate crime experts will be on the route to help determine what constitutes free speech and what is hate speech. However, some argue that clearer guidelines are needed to prevent such incidents and ensure public safety.
The community is on high alert, with many feeling that the city's authorities are not doing enough to address the growing concern of antisemitism. As one resident noted, "It's not just glass that's getting broken – it's the whole country."
