TORONTO, ON – Over the past week, a man with a swastika on his chest has twice assaulted members of Toronto’s Jewish community. On Tuesday, he was reportedly charged in connection with a hate-motivated assault near Stanley Park. On Saturday, July 10, the same individual yelled antisemitic slurs at three Jewish women near Yonge and St. Clair prior to attacking and choking a Jewish man.
 |
 |
In response, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto issued the following:
“Like all members of society, Jews should be able to walk down the street with confidence in our safety and security. We are grateful for the immediate response of the Toronto Police Service to these incidents.
“Antisemitism is a scourge that is quickly spreading throughout Canada and around the world. Over the past few months, Jewish Canadians – already the most targeted religious minority in this country according to Statistics Canada – have witnessed an alarming rise in hate-motivated harassment, vandalism, and assault. From Jewish owned businesses, to schools, to workplaces and unions, antisemitism is of ever-increasing concern for Jewish Canadians.
“As we approach the Government of Canada’s Emergency Summit on Antisemitism, we are reminded that what starts with Jews, never ends with Jews. Combating antisemitism is not only about protecting members of the Jewish community; it is essential to insulating all of us from the threat hatred poses to the very fabric of our society.”
Background:
- Police reported a 51% increase in reported hate crimes, with the Jewish community disproportionately targeted. Source: Toronto Hate Crime Report – 2020
- Press Release: CIJA Concerned by Rise of Hate Incidents in Toronto District School Board
- Statement: Toronto Jewish Community Raises Concerns About Massive Spike In Local Antisemitism
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is the advocacy agent of the Jewish Federations of Canada
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto is a 100 year old philanthropic organization helping Jews in Toronto, Canada, Israel and around the world, also encompassing United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto and the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto.
