Police in Toronto are investigating after gunfire struck Temple Emanu-El on the first night of Purim, damaging the building but leaving no one injured, reports The Jerusalem Post.
Officers were called to the synagogue at around 10:49 p.m. on Monday after reports of gunshots. When police arrived, they discovered multiple bullet holes in the synagogue’s front windows.
The Toronto Police Service said the case is being handled by its Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force in coordination with the Hate Crime Unit. Authorities have also increased police patrols in the surrounding area.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow condemned the incident, calling it an “unacceptable act of antisemitism and intimidation.”
“As we have seen repeatedly, incidents increase across our city as international events unfold,” Chow said. “It is never acceptable to target faith communities or cultural groups.”
Canada’s Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said he was “deeply concerned” by the attack, stressing that violence and hate had no place in Canadian society.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford described the shooting as a “vile and targeted act of antisemitism.”
“Antisemitism has no place in our province,” Ford said. “We stand firmly with our Jewish neighbours and will always defend their right to gather, worship, and live openly and safely in Ontario.”
The synagogue had hosted Purim celebrations earlier that evening.
Rabbi Elchanan Poupko claimed on social media that “military-grade weapons” were used in the attack and suggested the possibility of involvement by operatives linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. However, authorities have not confirmed those claims.
Meanwhile, Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said Jewish homes, schools and places of worship in the country were “under constant threat” and called on authorities to take stronger action against antisemitism.
Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli also commented on the attack, sharing images of the bullet-damaged synagogue and warning about rising threats against Jewish institutions in Canada.
Police have not yet announced any suspects, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Photo credit: REUTERS/Wa Lone
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