Authorities in Toronto are appealing to the public for assistance in identifying a male suspect after two potentially “hate-motivated” vandalism incidents at a city synagogue.
The Toronto Police Service received two calls in December of mischief at a synagogue in the Bayview Avenue and York Mills Road area, police said in a Jan. 6 press release.
It was reported on Dec. 2 that a suspect vandalized the signs on the front lawn of the synagogue before fleeing in a newer model dark grey Ford pickup truck, police said. A second sign vandalism incident was reported Dec. 20.
Authorities suspect the same man is responsible in both occurrences.
As a “suspected hate-motivated” offence, the investigation into the incidents could be led by a divisional investigator with the support of the Hate Crime Unit (HCU), or it could be investigated exclusively by the HCU, police said.
While Toronto police has not released who is leading the case, it is asking the public for help in finding the suspect.
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Police described the suspect as a middle-aged man, with a medium build and a moustache.
The suspect wore a black hoodie, dark pants, and a Yukon-style hat during the first vandalism incident and was seen wearing a black jacket and a baseball hat during the second occurrence.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
Rise in Anti-Semitism
Hate crimes against Jews in Canada have risen substantially since the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, causing war to break out in Gaza.
This increase has included shootings and arson attacks targeting Jewish schools, synagogues, and other community facilities.
A report from the Israeli Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism found attacks against Jewish people and institutions have risen 670 percent in Canada since the beginning of the conflict between Israel and the terror group.
The report from the Israeli government came shortly after a report released by Statistics Canada in July found the Jewish community to be the primary target of police-reported hate crimes in 2023. Anti-Semitic incidents rose 71 percent between 2022 and 2023 for a total of 900 reported crimes that year, according to StatCan figures.
The federal government announced last month that a national forum to combat anti-Semitism would be held in Ottawa in February.
“Canada has seen a troubling rise in antisemitic incidents, threats, and hate crimes,” the government press release said. “The Government of Canada recognizes the urgent need for national leadership to ensure Jewish Canadians feel safe in their synagogues, schools, and communities.”
