Doors of Vancouver Synagogue Set On Fire

The Schara Tzedeck synagogue in Vancouver on May 31. Police have launched an investigation after the synagogue was targeted by an arson attack. The Epoch Times

Police are investigating a May 30 arson outside of the Schara Tzedeck synagogue in Vancouver. The incident comes just days after shootings in Montreal and Toronto targeted Jewish schools.

Vancouver Police and Vancouver Fire Rescue Services responded to the fire Thursday evening. There was no significant property damage or injuries, according to a police department news release.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver said in a statement that the individual poured fuel on and set fire to the front doors of the synagogue.

“This deliberate act of hate was an attempt to intimidate our Jewish community,” the federation said. “But we refuse to be intimidated or to hide. 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.”

Police said they will increase patrols around Jewish institutions.

“We’re doing everything in our power to solve this crime, while providing reassurance, comfort, and safety to the community,” Constable Tania Visintin said. “We will continue to have an higher police presence in strategic locations throughout the coming days, as this investigation unfolds.”

B.C. Premier David Eby reacted to the incident Friday. “This disgusting act of antisemitism is reprehensible & has absolutely no place in BC,” he said in a May 31 post on X, formerly Twitter. “We stand with the Jewish community in BC and unequivocally condemn antisemitism and all forms of hatred.”

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon echoed Mr. Eby’s sentiments on X, saying that “we all must speak up and condemn this rising tide of antisemitism and intimidation towards the Jewish community. Hatred and antisemitism have no place in this province.”

The Schara Tzedeck synagogue in Vancouver on May 31. Police have launched an investigation after the synagogue was targeted by an arson attack. The Epoch Times

Federal leaders also reacted, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying on social media that “we cannot let this hate or these acts of violence stand. This is not the Canada we want to be.”

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre called on the government to do more to counter rising anti-Semitic incidents in the country, saying on X that “every day the Prime Minister fails to take action is another day Canadians are under attack.”

Jewish Schools Targeted

The attack in Vancouver comes days after a Jewish school was hit by gunfire in Montreal, the third school targeted in the city since October. Police said they were called out to the Belz school at the Young Israel of Montreal synagogue on May 29 where they found at least one bullet at the front of the school.

It’s also the second shooting at a Jewish school this week. A Jewish girls’ school in Toronto was shot at on May 25, damaging the front of the building, police said.

The attacks follow a series of incidents targeting Jewish schools and businesses since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

On Nov. 9, 2023, bullets were fired at the doors of the Yeshiva Gedola school and the United Talmud Torahs of Montreal. The school was hit again on Nov. 12.  Police have arrested Abdirazak Mahdi Ahmed, 20, in connection with the Nov. 12 incident.

Jennifer Cowan contributed to this report.