Toronto police’s hate crimes unit is investigating an incident of vandalism at a North York synagogue, where a synagogue leader says signs were set on fire early Wednesday morning.
Around 2:30 a.m., three signs on the property of Kehillat Shaarei Torah Synagogue were set on fire, synagogue executive director Michael Gilmore said Wednesday.
Gilmore says the signs read: “Jewish Federation of Toronto,” “Bring the hostages home” and “Support Israel.” He says the synagogue has security video footage of someone on a motorcycle driving up to the synagogue with what he believes to be a torch, in their hand.
Toronto police said its hate crimes unit is investigating the incident. In an email Wednesday afternoon, Const. Cindy Chung said police couldn’t give out any more information at this time.
Gilmore says this is the fourth instance of vandalism at the synagogue since April. Synagogue windows were smashed in separate incidents in April, May and June, Gilmore said.
Coun. James Pasternak, who represents York Centre, called the acts “deeply concerning” in a post on X, formerly Twitter, Wednesday.
“This pattern of hate must be addressed and condemned,” he said.