Ottawa police step up patrols outside synagogues, mosques after Hamas attack in Israel
CTV
Ottawa police say there will be more patrols around synagogues and mosques this weekend after Hamas militants attacked Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip Saturday.
Ottawa police say there will be more patrols around synagogues and mosques this weekend after Hamas militants attacked Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip Saturday.
Israel's national rescue service said at least 200 people were killed and hundreds more were wounded in the surprise attack, which drew condemnation from around the world, including in Ottawa.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre both condemned Hamas as terrorists. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said "terrorism and violence solve nothing," and called for all hostages to be released.
In a post on social media, Ottawa police said the attack in Israel has an impact on the community here in Canada's capital.
"We have increased police presence in areas of religious significance including synagogues and mosques," police said. "We are also reaching out to community partners to ensure they know we are here to support them."
Police also vowed that hate crimes would not be tolerated and would be fully investigated. According to OPS data, there were 221 reported hate-motivated incidents in the city in the first half of 2023, with Jewish residents being the most commonly targeted.
Outside the Soloway Jewish Community Centre, local resident Jessica Cohn said her husband's family lives in Israel.
