A shooting outside Sons of Jacob Synagogue, in Belleville, Ont., Sunday night as congregants gathered for Kol Nidre services on the eve of Yom Kippur has prompted condemnation and calls for stronger action to protect Jewish communities.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit said a 29-year-old man armed with a shotgun exchanged gunfire with police outside the synagogue. Const. Jeff Smith, who was stationed there for security, was seriously wounded; at press time, he was in intensive care, but in stable condition. The gunman suffered life-threatening injuries and died in hospital Monday night.
“Jewish Canadians should not need armed police outside their synagogues simply to pray safely,” the Centre for Israel and Jewish
Affairs and Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA said in a joint statement, adding: “No more thoughts and prayers.”
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre said, “No Jewish community should ever have to take cover inside a synagogue as gunfire erupts outside,” while praising Smith for protecting the congregation.
B’nai Brith Canada also condemned the violence and reiterated concerns about the security of Jewish institutions amid rising antisemitism.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said, “Jewish people must be able to worship safely. To live free, open, proud Jewish lives,” pledging federal support for the investigation and prosecution.
