Belleville Police Announce Attack Against Sons of Jacob Synagogue as Hate Crime Targeting the Jewish Community

Belleville, ON – September 24, 2026 – Today, authorities confirmed that the attack against Belleville’s Sons of Jacob Synagogue was a hate crime targeting the Jewish community. In response, Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, issued the following statement: 

“If not for the extraordinary bravery of Constable Jeff Smith, Canadians would have experienced the type of mass-casualty terror attack our security services have warned is a realistic possibility. We continue to pray for his full and speedy recovery.

"Today, Belleville Police released the name of a second officer that deserves our unending thanks. Constable Michael McCurdy quickly responded to shooting attack and saved countless lives.

"Constable Smith and Constable McCurdy’s heroism represent the very best of Canada. Their courage must now serve as a rallying call to elected officials at every level of government and to Canadians across the country to confront this growing threat to our national security and way of life.

"Police confirmed that this was a deliberate attack targeting members of the Jewish community and released video footage of the attacker stating, “You’re going to die for the Jews,” before the shooting began.

"Federal threat assessments have warned that “over the longer term, an environment in which the targeting of the Jewish community as a group frequently occurs and becomes more normalized will likely influence some susceptible individuals towards violent extremist pathways.” Extremists, like the gunman in Belleville, are being radicalized by conspiracy theories and libels about Jews to target Canadians.

"Canada is at a precipice – one step closer to the tragedies witnessed in Bondi Beach, Manchester and Boulder – and our leaders must take urgent and concrete actions before it is too late:

1. Enforce the law and hold criminals accountable

• We strongly support Justice Minister Sean Fraser’s call to convene provincial and territorial Public Safety Ministers and Attorneys General to establish a coordinated plan to enforce existing and new hate laws. This meeting must be held without further delay.

2. Ensure vulnerable communities have the resources to protect themselves

• Urgently implement vital reforms to maximize the impact of the Canada Community Security Program are implemented with urgency, to ensure community institutions can access every tool necessary.

3. Confront the drivers of rising extremism

• Governments must confront extremist ideologies, organizations and foreign state actors that promote, finance or facilitate violence in Canada, including the documented threat posed by Iran and its proxies.
  
  
• Government policies and rhetoric targeting Israel do not occur in a vacuum. Leaders must heed warnings by Canadian security officials and experts about extremists using conspiracy theories about Jews and criticism of Israeli policies to fuel radicalization, antisemitism and violence.

"Constable Smith and Constable McCurdy stepped forward when it mattered most. Our political leaders must do the same."

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