Vancouver synagogue targeted by incendiary device: Jewish Federation

An incendiary device was thrown at a synagogue in Vancouver on Thursday evening, leading to an increased police presence at local institutions, according to the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver.

In a statement shared online Thursday, the federation said the device was thrown at the Schara Tzedeck Synagogue on Oak Street around 9:30 p.m. According to the federation, no one was injured and damage to the building was minor.

The federation called the incident a “conscious act of hatred” aimed at “intimidating” the Jewish community.

“We do not allow ourselves to be intimidated or hidden. “Our community is resilient and we are proud to be an important part of the multicultural fabric of our city, our province and our country,” the federation said in its statement.

In a statement on social media, Premier David Eby called the incident a “disgusting act of anti-Semitism,” adding it was “reprehensible and has absolutely no place in British Columbia.”

“We stand with the Jewish community in British Columbia and unequivocally condemn anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred,” Eby said in a statement, adding that he was relieved to hear that no one was hurt.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also called the event on social media a “disgusting act of anti-Semitism.”

“We cannot allow this hatred and these acts of violence to continue,” he wrote. “This is not the Canada we want to be.”

In his own statement, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said the city “is proud of its diversity, inclusivity and respect for all communities.”

“We will not tolerate acts of hatred and violence against any group,” Sim said. “To our Jewish community – we stand shoulder to shoulder with you. Let there be no doubt: this was a hateful act of anti-Semitism. Together, we will rise above this act of hatred and continue to work for a city where everyone feels safe and respected.”

Canada’s special envoy to combat anti-Semitism, Deborah Lyons, called the incident “terrible news” and said on social media that “inflammatory rhetoric leads to incendiary violence.”

“Three Jewish institutions in three major cities were attacked this week, and even more have been attacked in the months since the terrible Hamas massacre on October 7. There is no excuse for silence or passivity,” her social media post said.

She said the law must be enforced and “incidents of hate” must not go unaddressed.

“This means that incitement and violent rhetoric must be met with consequences. This means that there must be an end to capitulation to unreasonable or threatening demands,” Lyons wrote.

The Vancouver Police Department said it was investigating the arson as a potential hate crime.

“This fire was deliberately set in a place of worship of the Jewish community” – Const. – said Tania Visintin in a press release. “We are gathering evidence to identify the person responsible, but are working closely with religious leaders and community members to ensure everyone’s safety.”

VPD says synagogue members extinguished the fire before it could spread.

The Jewish Federation said VPD and a Vancouver fire inspector thoroughly searched the building and determined it was safe to reopen.

VPD said additional officers are being deployed to specific locations around the city, including synagogues, Jewish community centers and religious schools.

“We are doing everything we can to solve this crime while providing the community with reassurance, comfort and safety,” Visintin said. “As the investigation evolves over the coming days, we will continue to increase police presence in strategic locations.”

With files from The Canadian Press