Vancouver, British Columbia – A synagogue in Vancouver was the target of a malicious arson attack, with someone pouring fuel onto the front doors of the Schara Tzedeck synagogue on Oak Street before setting them ablaze. Despite the scary situation, the people inside the synagogue were alerted to the fire by a passerby, and a member of the synagogue managed to extinguish the flames with his jacket before the situation escalated. The incident occurred around 9:20 p.m. on Thursday.
Rabbi Andrew Rosenblatt expressed his shock and dismay over the attack, noting that the damage was relatively minor, although the smell of burning still lingered inside the synagogue. Authorities are treating the case as an act of arson and a potential hate crime. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the attack as a disgusting act of antisemitism, reflecting a concerning rise in such incidents across Canada.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver described the incident as a deliberate act of hate aimed at intimidating the Jewish community. The damaged synagogue was quickly declared safe after a thorough search by the Vancouver Police Department and a fire inspector. Extra security measures have been put in place around Jewish institutions in the area to ensure the safety of the community.
This unfortunate incident comes amidst a series of troubling occurrences targeting Jewish gathering places across Canada. Liberal MP Anthony Housefather called for stronger action to address such hate crimes, emphasizing the need for immediate government intervention. The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center also expressed their outrage over the violent attack, echoing concerns about the escalating antisemitic incidents in the country.
B.C. Premier David Eby swiftly denounced the arson attack, emphasizing that antisemitism has no place in British Columbia. Various political and community leaders have come together to condemn the violence and call for decisive action to combat hate crimes. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by minority communities in Canada, particularly in light of recent escalations in antisemitic incidents.