Hate Against Hamilton’s Jewish Community Skyrocketed by 20% in 2024

CIJA

|July 30, 2025

Hamilton, ON – July 30, 2025 – Antisemitic hate crimes in Hamilton rose 20 per cent in 2024, according to newly released police data – a sharp spike in targeted incidents against the Jewish community.

“This surge is not an abstract statistic – it is deeply personal to our community,” said Gustavo Rymberg, CEO, Hamilton Jewish Federation. “It reflects real acts of vandalism, harassment, threats, and bias that leave Hamilton’s Jewish families, students, and institutions feeling targeted and unsafe.”

Jewish residents were the most targeted group in the religious category, with 53 hate/bias occurrences reported – accounting for 80 per cent of all religiously motivated hate/bias incidents in the city. This is despite the Jewish community making up just 0.5 per cent of Hamilton’s population – approximately 5,000 individuals according to the 2021 Census.

“We are calling on the Hamilton Police Service and City Council to recognize this disproportionate targeting by increasing investment in security for Jewish spaces – including synagogues, schools, and community centres,” said Rymberg.

Antisemitic hate was not the only category which rose; hate/bias incidents and criminal offences across Hamilton increased overall by 35 per cent over 2023, affecting multiple communities.

“The alarming rise in hate is not just a concern to Jewish residents of Hamilton – all Hamiltonians should be concerned because it tears at the very fabric of our society,” said Josh Landau, Director, Government Relations - Ontario, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA). “Governments at every level must step up and do what they can to fight back against hatred and violence: enacting safe access zone legislation around vulnerable institutions; increasing security funding and support for local community security networks; and ensuring better collaboration between law enforcement and Crown prosecutors so perpetrators of hate are held accountable.”

“Hate and antisemitism in Hamilton – and across Canada – are becoming more aggressive, more visible, and more tolerated,” said Rymberg. “We invite civic leaders, neighbours, and allies to stand with us against hate and ensure our city remains inclusive, safe, and just.”

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