Urgent: Ottawa Stabbing Declared Antisemitic Hate Crime

UPDATE: A woman was violently attacked in an Ottawa grocery store on August 27, 2023, in what authorities are classifying as a shocking antisemitic hate crime. Joseph Rooke, a 71-year-old man from Cornwall, has been charged with aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon after allegedly stalking and stabbing the victim in the kosher food aisle of Loblaws, a popular supermarket.

This horrifying incident, occurring in broad daylight, starkly highlights the alarming rise of antisemitism across Canada. The Hate and Bias Crime Unit is leading the investigation, and further charges against Rooke may be forthcoming. Officials emphasize that this was no random act; it was a targeted assault driven by hate.

B’nai Brith Canada has pointed to Rooke’s social media activity, which features vile antisemitic tropes, as clear evidence of his motives. The organization stated, “Rooke left his home in Cornwall to seek out a Jew in Ottawa, specifically targeting an elderly woman.” This deliberate act of violence raises urgent questions about safety for Jewish individuals in public spaces.

The implications of this attack resonate deeply through the heart of Canada’s capital. If such violence can erupt in a grocery store, where can Jews feel safe? Prime Minister Mark Carney has publicly expressed solidarity with the Jewish community, but his words ring hollow without decisive action against the hatred that is surging in public life.

Antisemitism has increasingly left the shadows of the internet and manifested violently in everyday situations. It permeates university campuses, demonstrations, boardrooms, and now grocery stores. The alarming trend of antisemitic incidents, which have reached record highs, demands immediate attention from government leaders.

Calls for action are growing louder. Ottawa’s mayor and police chief must unequivocally denounce this stabbing as an antisemitic hate crime and implement robust measures to safeguard Jewish communities and institutions. Real security must replace symbolic gestures.

Additionally, the federal government must prioritize strengthening laws against online hate. Social media platforms that allow the spread of antisemitism must be held accountable, as their complicity contributes to real-world violence. Crown prosecutors should enforce hate crime provisions in the Criminal Code with the seriousness these offenses demand.

Educational institutions must also face scrutiny for tolerating antisemitic harassment under the guise of open debate. Normalizing such hatred on campuses can lead to dangerous consequences on the streets.

Canada’s reputation as a safe and pluralistic democracy is at stake. The promise of safety is broken if Jewish individuals cannot shop freely in their capital city. Restoring this safety requires courageous leadership from Prime Minister Carney, who must clearly articulate a zero-tolerance policy against antisemitism and follow through with effective measures.

As this situation develops, the urgency for immediate, collective action against hate has never been more pressing. If Jews are unsafe in Ottawa, no Canadian can feel secure anywhere.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds.