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London police are investigating after local institutions were caught up in nationwide threats to Jewish organizations Wednesday.
More than 100 such bodies across Canada received the same threatening email that included threats of death and physical harm and indicated the goal was to cause “terror.”
Rob Nagus, executive director of the London Jewish Community Centre on Huron Street, confirmed that they also received the threat and promptly reported it to police.
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“It looks like this was a baseless threat designed to spread fear, and our security teams have reported there’s no evidence at this time that this is a substantive or tangible threat to our community,” he told The London Free Press.
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The centre’s operations haven’t been affected, but Nagus says the community should still exercise vigilance and report anything suspicious to police.
“These have been very challenging times, and we’re trying to keep things in perspective,” he said. “There’s a rise in antisemitism across Canada, and London has not been immune. But I think we can rest assured that at least this threat is not substantive or tangible at this point.”
Const. Matt Dawson, a spokesperson for London police, confirmed an investigation is ongoing as of Wednesday morning. Police similarly found that there was no threat to public safety when they initially responded to the report.
“As always, the safety of the community overall, all facets of the community, is the number 1 priority for London Police Service,” he said.
RCMP confirmed the threats were made to “a number of institutions, including synagogues and hospitals, across Canada.”
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“Law enforcement is also engaging with faith-based leaders to ensure they have the information and support they need,” a spokesperson for the Mounties said in a statement late Wednesday afternoon.
The RCMP said it’s working with local law enforcement to ensure locations are safe, and the Federal Policing National Security Program is investigating the source of the threats.
The latest threats come amid a significant rise in antisemitism in Canada following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel last fall, and Israel’s subsequent military response in Gaza. B’nai B’rith Canada’s annual report in May said the reports of antisemitic incidents had doubled in 2023, including 77 that were violent.
— with files from The Canadian Press
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