Two Halifax synagogues were targeted with hateful graffiti over the weekend. Photo: Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs
Two Halifax synagogues were defaced with hateful graffiti over the weekend, sparking strong condemnation from Jewish community leaders and city officials.
The graffiti was discovered at Shaar Shalom Synagogue on Windsor Street and Beth Israel Synagogue on Oxford Street.
Both buildings were marked overnight while the city was already dealing with heightened security concerns tied to protests around the Davis Cup tennis tournament.
In a joint statement, the Atlantic Jewish Council and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said the incidents go far beyond vandalism.
“On the same weekend that extremists silenced fans from cheering on Team Canada, with protestors even publicly displaying the severed head of the Halifax mayor, a Halifax synagogue was defaced with hateful graffiti,” the statement read.
“Whether intimidating sports fans, threatening elected officials, or targeting people at their places of worship, this is absolutely unacceptable in Canada — an assault on our core Canadian values. And requires an unequivocal and urgent response from police and political leaders.”
Mayor Andy Fillmore also condemned the incidents, saying, “I am appalled by the antisemitic graffiti defacing three Halifax synagogues last night. Attacking places of worship is unacceptable. It has no place in Halifax.”
He added that while debates over identity and justice may feel divisive, “we cannot allow that complexity to collapse into hate here at home. There is no path to peace anywhere that includes bringing fear and division to Halifax. We are better than this.”
Protesters approach the Scotiabank Centre on Brunswick Street, where the Canada vs Israel match was being held as part of the Davis Cup. (Jacob Moore/Acadia Broadcasting)
Halifax Regional Police say they are investigating, though no arrests have been made.
