“Too much inaction and repeated weak responses from too many leaders have permitted this behavior to become normalized.”
Law enforcement agencies across parts of the Greater Toronto Area are increasing patrols after two synagogues were shot overnight in North York and Vaughan.
The incidents happened only days after another North York synagogue, Temple Emanu-El, was also struck by gunfire on Monday. Authorities are working to see if the two incidents are connected.
Toronto police are probing the shooting at a synagogue near Bathurst St. and Glencairn Ave. that occurred shortly after midnight, according to spokesperson Shannon Eames. Officers found bullet holes in the building’s front entrance, but there were no injuries reported, per the CBC. Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated online that the North York incident happened at the Shaarei Shomayim synagogue.
“I am disgusted by the targeted shootings at Beth Avraham Yosef of Toronto and Shaarei Shomayim synagogues. These cowardly acts of hate are meant to intimidate and instil fear. They are an attack on the Jewish community and on the fundamental right of every person in Canada to worship safely and freely. Our government will continue working closely with police to ensure that places of worship are protected and those responsible are held accountable. Antisemitism has no place in Ontario. We will never waver in our support for Canada’s Jewish community,” Ford said in a statement on X.
In a separate case, York Regional Police said officers were called just before midnight after suspects driving a dark sedan “opened fire” at another synagogue near Clark Ave. and Thornhill Blvd., Deputy Chief Kevin McCloskey said during a Saturday news conference.
McCloskey said no one was hurt, although two people were inside the building at the time. Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca later confirmed on social media that the Thornhill shooting occurred at the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto synagogue.
He said he was worried about Jewish residents affected by the “hateful and antisemitic act.”
“Too much inaction and repeated weak responses from too many leaders have permitted this behavior to become normalized,” he said, adding that many politicians would likely condemn the attack online Saturday without taking meaningful action.