As threats against the Jewish community circulate on social media, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is urging the public to be vigilant in connection with the war between Israel and Hamas.
It is time to double our vigilance. We will not tolerate any form of intimidation, harassment or harmful attacks on communities or individuals in Canada, said an RCMP press release issued Thursday.
Federal police add that anyone who feels threatened online or in person should contact their local police station.
Federal Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said he had discussed the Jewish community’s concerns with RCMP management.
Minister LeBlanc and his justice counterpart Arif Virani met with their provincial and territorial counterparts on Thursday. In a joint statement, the ministers called on Canadians to show unity.
Our law enforcement and security partners remain alert to these potential disruptions and are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of all Canadian citizens, the statement said.
A former Hamas leader called for protests around the world on Friday, according to Portal.
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Toronto police have increased security near synagogues like this one.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Jérémie Bergeron
Police are increasing patrols in Toronto and Vancouver
Police departments in the Greater Toronto Area and Vancouver have increased patrols in certain areas, particularly near Jewish places of worship.
Toronto police said they were aware of worldwide online threats circulating about events that could happen on Friday.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said the department is increasing patrols around the city’s cultural centres, places of worship and schools, although there are currently no credible threats against them.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged growing concerns about the conflict in Israel.
I would like to take a moment to reassure the Jewish and Muslim communities in Canada who feel particularly at risk. “I want you to know that we are continuing our efforts to ensure the safety of our places of worship and our communities,” he said Thursday, adding that deputies were in contact with local police forces.
The SPVM is asking the population to pay attention
For its part, the Montreal City Police Service (SPVM) said that measures have been taken, in particular a visibility plan around places of worship and other landmarks.
The SPVM emphasized that there has been no significant increase in complaints or incidents due to events related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We ask the population to be vigilant. “Acts of hate are unacceptable and we take them very seriously,” police said in a statement.
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Hasidic Jews march on Bernard Street. (archive photo)
Photo: The Canadian Press / Ryan Remiorz
The SPVM met with representatives of the Hasidic Jewish community and confirmed to them that there would be increased police presence around synagogues on Friday.
According to the community spokesman, the synagogue to be monitored will be located on the corner of Hutchison Street and Fairmount Street.
Police officers near the Jewish General Hospital
Also in Montreal, the Jewish General Hospital asked its teams on Friday to only keep appointments deemed essential for their patients, thereby reducing the number of people who will visit the facility.
In her message to staff, the hospital’s director of professional services, Louise Miner, included screenshots of messages that she described as calling for global attacks on Jewish sites, institutions and organizations, including schools and restaurants.
The hospital says it is in contact with the SPVM, and while the threat level in Montreal is still considered low, writes Ms. Miner, police presence is being increased around the hospital on Chemin de la Côte-Sainte. -Catherine.
We don’t want to stir up panic, writes Ms. Miner, even though there is currently no concrete threat to the Jewish General Hospital.
According to Radio-Canada, entrances to the Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital in Laval will be controlled and security forces will be present throughout the weekend. Laval police were notified of the situation.