Canadian leaders and advocacy groups are reacting to a threatening mass email claiming bombs had been placed in numerous Jewish buildings across the country.
The threat comes on The International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, which was established by the United Nations seven years ago.
According to CBC, the email was sent early Wednesday morning to more than 100 Canadian synagogues, Jewish community centres and organizations, and shortly before 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Toronto police tweeted that it had responded to multiple calls related to the email.
“Today, TPS attended buildings in the Bathurst St & Sheppard Ave W area for a bomb threat. The buildings were evacuated as a precaution and cleared. We are continuing to address the possible impact in Toronto,” TPS wrote.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed on X at about 3:30 p.m. that The RCMP is conducting a Canada-wide investigation.
I’m disgusted at reports that more than 100 Jewish institutions across Canada were targeted by threats today. This is blatant antisemitism.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 21, 2024
The RCMP is in contact with local law enforcement to investigate, and we’re working with them to keep Jewish Canadians safe.
The RCMP has since confirmed that its Federal Policing National Security Program is investigating the source of the threats.
“Law enforcement is engaging with faith-based leaders to ensure they have the information and support they need. We want to reassure the public that the safety and security of Canadians is our top priority,” it wrote on X.
By late afternoon, the attack had been widely condemned as an act of antisemitism by political leaders and advocacy groups across the country.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said the threats are unacceptable.
“Intimidation, threats and violence directed at the Jewish community are unacceptable. There is no place for antisemitism in our city, Canada, or anywhere else,” she wrote on X.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs also shared a statement.
“We will never be intimidated…we will continue to take part in Jewish life” it wrote on X.
We will never be intimidated. https://t.co/XLuKm7Wwa4 pic.twitter.com/CpIuOHeRHg
— CIJA (@CIJAinfo) August 21, 2024
The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center also posted a statement calling on leaders to provide meaningful ways to combat anti-semitism.
For months, synagogues and other Jewish institutions in Canada have been increasingly targeted by those seeking to instill fear in our community.
— Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (@CanadianFSWC) August 21, 2024
The Jewish community has had enough of these attacks and threats, and we've had enough of the empty words of sympathy from political… pic.twitter.com/l4fdX29Og0
“We need solutions and actions to confront extremism and stop the terrifying attacks on Canadian Jewish life,” it tweeted.
