On Yom Kippur, the holiest date on the Jewish calendar, the Sons of Jacob synagogue in Belleville, Ont., was targeted for violence.
This was a deplorable act against a place of worship, and a people at worship. The EFC is appalled by the violent attack, which police have confirmed was motivated by hatred.
The EFC denounces antisemitism and all acts of hatred and violence on the basis of religion. Hatred and violence have no place in Canada. It is unacceptable that Jewish Canadians are not able to gather in places of worship without fear of violence.
We pray for the Jewish community in Belleville and across Canada, who feel increasingly unsafe. We pray also for healing for Const. Jeff Smith of the Belleville Police Service, who was seriously injured while protecting the synagogue.