Two synagogues and a Jewish community building in Halifax, Canada, were defaced with antisemitic graffiti over the weekend, heightening fears of escalating anti-Jewish attacks among the city’s Jewish community. At Beth Israel Synagogue, vandals sprayed false claims accusing Jews of orchestrating the September 11 attacks.
Nearby, Shaar Shalom Congregation was marked with a swastika, a Nazi symbol of hate and genocide. The same September 11 accusation appeared on a Chabad-affiliated building.
Rabbi Yakov Kerzner of Beth Israel told CBC, “We haven't experienced this until now in Halifax, but this is an escalation which does concern the Jewish community.” He noted the vandalism likely occurred during Saturday evening prayers, adding, “It's antisemitism, it's pure anti-Jew hatred.”
Rabbi Gary Karlin of Shaar Shalom expressed similar alarm but was unsurprised. “I've seen it … throughout Canada over the last two years.... I don't know where this is going but I'm concerned about it,” he said. Kerzner linked the vandalism to rising local tensions and protests. Despite the attack, he emphasized resilience. “We are proud to be Jews ... this is not going to stop us. We're not going to hide," he said.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston strongly denounced the vandalism in a post on his Facebook account, writing: “The targeting of synagogues in Halifax with antisemitic graffiti is absolutely disgraceful. We are better than this as a province.
“I stand in support of our Jewish friends and neighbors who are shaken by this act of hate. This hatred has no place in Nova Scotia. I hope those responsible are caught and held accountable for their despicable actions.”
The incidents have raised concerns about growing antisemitism in Canada, prompting calls for swift action to address the vandalism and prevent further attacks.