HALIFAX, NS โ In a deeply troubling incident, two synagogues in Halifax, Nova Scotia, were defaced with antisemitic graffiti overnight. Shaar Shalom and Beth Israel synagogues were targeted, with hateful messages including the phrase “Jews did 9/11” and a swastika discovered at the entrances. The graffiti was found early Sunday morning, leading to immediate condemnation from local Jewish leaders and calls for swift action from authorities.
Rabbi Yakov Kerzner of Beth Israel synagogue expressed his shock and concern, stating, “It’s antisemitism, it’s pure anti-Jew hatred.” He noted that the vandalism occurred while congregants were inside for a Saturday evening service, highlighting the severity of the attack. Rabbi Gary Karlin of Shaar Shalom also condemned the act, describing it as “deeply troubling” and reflecting a broader pattern of rising antisemitism in Canada.
The Atlantic Jewish Council and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs issued a joint statement condemning the vandalism as an assault on Canadian values. They emphasized the need for a strong and unified response from both police and political leaders to address the rise in hate crimes targeting Jewish communities.
Halifax police have initiated an investigation into the incident, with their hate crime unit leading the efforts. Cleanup of the affected areas is underway, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
This act of vandalism comes amid a concerning trend of rising antisemitic incidents across Canada, with Statistics Canada reporting 920 police-reported hate crimes targeting Jews in 2024, making them the most targeted religious group in the country.
Community leaders are calling for increased vigilance and stronger measures to combat antisemitism and ensure the safety and security of Jewish institutions and individuals.
This article is based on verified information from CBC News, Israel National News, and statements from the Atlantic Jewish Council and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.