A Jewish-owned supermarket in Toronto, IDF — International Delicatessen Foods, was set on fire last night. The windows of the supermarket were smashed, and “Palestine will be liberated” was written on its front.
Toronto police are investigating the arson and act of vandalism as a criminal and hate crime. The police spokeswoman stated that this is a turning point in criminal activity, as it is no longer graffiti on a bus stop or an illegal demonstration.
According to Toronto police data, since October 7 there has been a 53 percent increase in the number of anti-Semitism cases in the city.
The leaders of the Jewish community stated in an official announcement that the incident is the result of the escalation in expressions of hatred towards the Jewish community. The mayor of Toronto, John Turturro, condemned the act, stressing that there is no place for anti-Semitism in the city.
The event in Toronto joins a series of anti-Semitic events that have recently occurred in Canada. In November 2023, shots were fired at two Jewish schools in Montreal, and Molotov cocktails were thrown at synagogues and offices of the Jewish community. In Ottawa, a local young man was arrested who acted with religious motives and planned with the help of others to carry out attacks against the Jewish community, among other things, through the use of explosives.
These events cause growing concern among the Jewish community in Canada. The community calls on the Canadian government and local authorities to take more significant steps to combat anti-Semitism.
