Arson attack on Vancouver synagogue

BC politicians are condemning the arson attack on a Vancouver synagogue last night.

Premier David Eby says in a statement posted on social media that the incident at Vancouver's Schara Tzedeck synagogue was a disgusting and reprehensible act of antisemitism that has no place in the province.

Last night, there was an arson attack at Vancouver’s Congregation Schara Tzedeck synagogue. This disgusting act of antisemitism is reprehensible & has absolutely no place in BC.

We stand with the Jewish community in BC & unequivocally condemn antisemitism & all forms of hatred.

— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) May 31, 2024

Opposition B-C United Leader Kevin Falcon says he was "horrified" to hear about the incident that comes after bullet holes were recently found at two Jewish schools in Montreal in Toronto, and everyone must speak up to condemn antisemitism. 

Horrified to learn that Schara Tzedeck Synagogue in Vancouver was firebombed last night. This comes after shootings and attacks at several Jewish schools and institutions in this country in recent weeks. We all must speak up and condemn this rising tide of antisemitism and… https://t.co/HbCT8HRg9F

— Kevin Falcon (@KevinFalcon) May 31, 2024

Liberal M-P Taleeb Noormohamed says he's "furious" about the incident in his riding and there's no justification for a synagogue to be attacked.

There is no justification for a Synagogue to be attacked. None.

Furious to see this happen in #VanGran & I stand in support & solidarity with the Congregation at Schara Tzedeck & the Jewish community.

This has to stop.

We must keep fighting the rise in antisemitism - together. https://t.co/gO8N5whRkx

— Taleeb Noormohamed 🇨🇦 (@Taleeb) May 31, 2024

The foreign affairs minister has asked Public Safety Canada to explore the possibility of listing the IRGC as a terrorist organization, but Trudeau raised concerns it would punish Canadians who were drafted into Iran's military by force.

Housefather's comments were met with a standing ovation in the House. 

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center issued a statement saying it was "appalled by last night's violent attack against a Vancouver synagogue."

"This marks the third such incident in the past six days in Canada, following shootings at Jewish schools in Toronto and Montreal. This comes as the country continues to experience surging anti-Jewish incidents since the Hamas atrocities in Israel last October."