Early Wednesday morning, a threatening email was sent to numerous Jewish institutions across Canada, including several in Montreal, leading to investigations by police in various cities and the RCMP. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) reported that over 100 synagogues and other Jewish establishments were targeted in this incident.
In Montreal, the Adath Israel Poale Zedek Anshei Ozeroff Synagogue in Hampstead received one of these threatening emails, prompting a 911 call to the police. Similar threats were reported in Toronto, Ottawa, and other cities across the country. The Toronto Police Service conducted searches at buildings mentioned in the email to ensure the safety of the occupants.
Authorities in Montreal and Ottawa also took precautionary measures by sending teams to verify the safety of the targeted buildings. Despite the lack of immediate threats detected during these verifications, police remained vigilant and continued to investigate the situation.
CIJA spokesperson Julien Corona expressed concerns about the rising antisemitism in Canada and condemned the threats made against the Jewish community. The email, which contained violent death threats, was sent with the intent to instill fear and intimidation among Canadian Jewish communities.
The RCMP has initiated a Canada-wide investigation into the threatening emails, although the leading department in the probe remains unclear. Federation CJA, along with other community partners, is working closely with law enforcement to address the situation and ensure the safety of all Jewish establishments.