A Toronto synagogue was shot at on the first night of Purim on Monday evening, leaving the building damaged but causing no injuries.
Toronto police were called to Temple Emanu‑El at around 10:49 p.m. following reports of gunfire. Officers found multiple bullet holes in the synagogue’s front windows and launched an investigation.
The Toronto Police Service told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday that “the investigation is being led by members from our Integrated Gun & Gang Task Force, and that they are liaising with our Hate Crime Unit.”
The police have also increased patrols in the area.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow called it an “unacceptable act of antisemitism and intimidation” and said she will not tolerate antisemitic hate in the city.
“As we have seen repeatedly, incidents increase across our city as international events unfold. I want to be clear: it is never acceptable to target faith communities or cultural groups,” she added, alluding to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said he was “deeply concerned” by the reports, adding that “violence has no place in our communities” and promising to stand against antisemitism and hate.
Premier of Ontario Doug Ford called it a “vile and targeted act of antisemitism” and “an attack not only on a place of worship, but on the safety and dignity of Ontario’s Jewish community.”
“Antisemitism has no place in our province,” he said. “We stand firmly with our Jewish neighbors and will always defend their right to gather, worship, and live openly and safely in Ontario.”
'Military-grade' weapons used in attack
Rabbi Elchanan Poupko claimed on X/Twitter that “military-grade weapons” were used against the place of worship and that he had been told “with high confidence” that IRGC operatives were responsible.
He called on Canada to deploy military and federal resources to defend Canadian Jews.
Canada’s opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, said Jewish homes, schools, and places of worship are “under constant threat in Canada” and urged authorities to “root out this scourge of antisemitism.”
The incident occurred hours after Temple Emanu-El had hosted Purim celebrations.
Israel’s Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli posted images of the bullet-riddled windows on social media, noting that shots were fired at the synagogue and referencing a formal warning letter his office sent to Canada’s public safety minister in January 2026 about the rising threat to Jewish institutions in Canada.