Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said police are investigating two separate overnight shootings targeting synagogues in North York and Thornhill, Ontario.
The temples that were targeted were identified by the prime minister as Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto in Thornhill and Shaarei Shomayim in North York, while Temple Emanu-El in North York was attacked earlier this week.
“These criminal antisemitic attacks are an assault on the rights of Jewish Canadians to live and pray in safety,” Carney wrote in an X post. “They are also fundamental violations of the Canadian way of life.”
Why It Matters
The overnight shootings occurred as Israel and the United States are currently striking key military targets in Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other government leaders. It marks the second time in eight months Israel and the U.S. used military force against the Islamic Republic.
Attacks on religious institutions have drawn heightened scrutiny from authorities and community groups across North America because they can terrorize congregations and inflame broader social tensions.
What To Know
Police said shots were fired at two synagogues in separate incidents in North York and Thornhill overnight, with bullet holes found in the front door of Shaarei Shomayim synagogue, CTV reported.
Officials say they responded to a “shots fired” report at 12:08 a.m. local time on Saturday at that location, according to CTV. Earlier, officers responded to a call and found evidence that gunshots had also been fired at Beth Avraham Yoseph.
Officials said it was too early to say if the incidents were connected, CTV reported.
No suspect information has been released at this time.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said police will increase their presence in the area during the investigation as they work to determine who is responsible for the incidents.
Police are dedicating additional resources to the case, including the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force and the Hate Crime Unit, to support officers from 33 Division, Chow added.
What People Are Saying
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a post on X Saturday: “Last night, two synagogues in Toronto, Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto in Thornhill and Shaarei Shomayim in North York were assaulted by gun shots. Earlier this week, Temple Emanu-El in North York was also maliciously attacked. These criminal antisemitic attacks are an assault on the rights of Jewish Canadians to live and pray in safety. They are also fundamental violations of the Canadian way of life. The federal government will use every tool available to confront antisemitic violence and hatred, and protect places of worship. Canada’s new government has introduced legislation to strengthen the Criminal Code, protect our communities, and combat hate. Federal agencies, including the RCMP, will use every resource to support law enforcement to identify the perpetrators of these crimes and bring them to the full weight of justice.”
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said in a post on X Saturday: “Last night, two synagogues were targeted, in North York and Thornhill. These are disgusting acts of antisemitism, hate and intimidation. Toronto Police are increasing their presence in the area to keep people safe. Police are dedicating considerable resources to tracking down the people responsible for these continued attacks by bringing the Integrated Gun & Gang Task Force and the Hate Crime Unit to support 33 Division on the investigation. Anyone with information or security footage should come forward to police immediately. These attacks on Jewish institutions must stop and as Mayor I will continue to support the Toronto Police with whatever resources are needed to make this happen. Toronto’s Jewish community has the right to practice their faith without fear, intimidation or violence. As we have seen repeatedly, antisemitic incidents increase in our city as international events unfold. I want to be clear: it is never acceptable to target Jewish community.”
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