Toronto police are investigating an incident in which a synagogue window was smashed overnight Saturday in North York, near Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue.
Police said the window was broken with an unidentified object. No injuries were reported and no suspect description was immediately available. The hate crimes unit is leading the investigation and has appealed to the public for information, according to Canadian media reports.
The Consulate General of Israel in Toronto strongly condemned what it described as an antisemitic attack at Congregation Mishkan Avraham in Toronto.
In a statement, the consulate said the incident was serious and part of a series of antisemitic incidents reported across Canada in recent days. Just one day earlier, Molotov cocktails were thrown at a synagogue in Montreal in what appeared to be an attempt to set the building on fire.
“Within less than 24 hours, two Jewish houses of worship were attacked in two major Canadian cities,” the statement said.
According to the consulate, the recent attacks underscore the severity of the antisemitism crisis that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently warned about when he cited a sharp rise in incitement and attacks targeting Jews in the country.
“The Jewish community has heard countless statements of condemnation over the past two and a half years, yet Jewish institutions continue to be targeted,” the statement said.
The consulate said synagogues, Jewish schools and community centers have been forced to rely on extraordinary security measures in order to maintain basic daily activities.
“The time has come to move from words to action,” the statement said, calling on authorities to take stronger measures against hate crimes and antisemitism.
The consulate also noted that more than 50,000 people are expected to participate Sunday in Toronto’s 57th annual Walk With Israel.
“The Jewish community will continue to march with pride and confidence. Attempts at intimidation will not achieve their goal,” the statement said.
The consulate expressed appreciation for Toronto police and law enforcement authorities for their swift response and called for those responsible to be brought to justice.
“A synagogue must never become a crime scene, and Jews in Canada should not have to live with the feeling that the only question is which Jewish institution will be targeted next,” the statement said. “Authorities must demonstrate through actions, not just statements, that antisemitic violence has no place in Canada.”