Police investigating threat to London Jewish community centre

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On Wednesday, local London institutions were implicated in nationwide threats against Jewish organizations, and police are currently investigating.

More than 100 such organizations across Canada received the same threatening emails, including threats of death and bodily harm, and stated that the goal was to cause “terror”.

Rob Nagus, executive director of the London Jewish Community Centre on Huron Street, confirmed they had also received a threat and had immediately reported it to police.

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“This looks like an unfounded threat intended to spread fear,” he told the London Free Press. “Our security teams report that there is no evidence at this time that this poses a substantive or tangible threat to our community.”

I am disgusted by reports today that more than 100 Jewish institutions across Canada have been threatened. This is blatant anti-Semitism.

The RCMP is in contact with local law enforcement as part of their investigation, and we are working with them to ensure the safety of Canadian Jews.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 21, 2024

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Operations at the centre have not been impacted, but Nagus said the community should still remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to police.

“This is a very difficult time and we are trying to remain objective,” he said. “There is a surge in anti-Semitism across Canada and London is not immune to this. But I think we can take comfort in the fact that at least at this point in time, the threat is not substantial or tangible.”

London police spokesman Matt Dawson confirmed that as of Wednesday morning, the investigation was still ongoing and that when police initially received the report, they found that the incident did not pose a threat to public safety.

He said: “As always, the safety of the entire community, in all its facets, is the Metropolitan Police’s top priority.”

The RCMP confirmed that the threats were directed at “numerous institutions across Canada, including synagogues and hospitals.”

The RCMP is aware that multiple institutions across Canada, including synagogues and hospitals, have been threatened today. We are working with local law enforcement who are responding aggressively to secure these locations.

— Royal Canadian Mounted Police (@rcmpgrcpolice) August 21, 2024

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“Law enforcement is also engaging with faith leaders to ensure they have the information and support they need,” an RCMP spokesperson said in a statement late Wednesday afternoon.

The RCMP said it was working with local law enforcement to secure the location and the federal police National Security Program was investigating the source of the threat.

The latest threat comes as anti-Semitism in Canada surged following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel last fall and Israel’s subsequent military counterattack in Gaza. B’nai B’rith Canada’s annual report in May said the number of reported anti-Semitic incidents doubled in 2023, with 77 violent incidents.

— With files from The Canadian Press

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