Toronto's Jewish community faces escalating violence as the Bais Chaya Mushka Elementary School is targeted for the third time in seven months. Authorities plan to meet to address the spike in antisemitic acts, while hate crimes across Canada reach record highs.
Third Gun Attack on Jewish School in Toronto Raises Alarm Over Antisemitism
Third Gun Attack on Jewish School in Toronto Raises Alarm Over Antisemitism
The Bais Chaya Mushka Elementary School in Toronto has faced yet another shooting, prompting discussions among Canadian ministers and law enforcement to combat rising hate crimes.
On Friday, gunshots were fired at the Bais Chaya Mushka Girls Elementary School in north Toronto, marking the third time this Jewish institution has come under assault in just seven months. This alarming incident is part of a broader surge in antisemitic attacks that has compelled Canadian officials to take action.
Earlier this week, an arson incident at a Jewish community center and synagogue in Montreal also marked a worrying trend of violence against Jewish establishments. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his disgust via a post on social media, identifying the shooting as a "hateful, antisemitic attack" against the Jewish community in Toronto.
Security footage revealed that an individual exited a vehicle and fired six shots at the school around 2:30 a.m. on Friday. The school has previously faced gunfire in May and October, leading to arrests in one of those earlier incidents. Rabbi Yaacov Vidal, the principal, voiced the concerns weighing on parents, describing their feelings of fear and frustration.
In response to this growing violence, the Toronto Police Service has dedicated more resources to combat hate crimes since the onset of the war in Gaza last year. Reports indicate that around half of hate crime incidents in Toronto have targeted the Jewish community, with noticeable increases in incidents against Muslims and Arabs as well.
Rachel Bendayan, the associate public safety minister, announced plans for a comprehensive meeting with law enforcement agencies across the nation to address the alarming rise in antisemitic crimes, emphasizing the goal to “stem this violence.” In a broader initiative, the Canadian government pledged approximately 274 million Canadian dollars over the next six years to invest in combating hate, which includes support for police departments and community groups working to document bias incidents.
The national census agency revealed that hate crimes reported in Canada hit a record high of 4,777 last year, representing a staggering 32 percent increase from 2022. This trend persists amid ongoing tensions stemming from recent conflicts, raising critical concerns about public safety and community relations nationwide.
