The stabbing of a Jewish woman in broad daylight in a grocery store in Ottawa has led public officials, including Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Prime Minister of Ontario, Doug Ford, to speak against what they are calling a disturbing act of violence in the community.
The unpaved attack occurred on Wednesday afternoon in a Loblaws store on the reference road. The victim, about 70 years old, was seriously injured.
Joseph Rooke, 71, from Cornwall, Ontario, was accused of aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon on the scene, police said. Rooke appeared in court on Thursday and is scheduled to return on September 2.
“After an exhaustive investigation, this incident is considered a motivated hate crime,” confirmed the Ottawa police service (PAHO) on Friday afternoon.
“OPS is in contact with leaders of the Jewish community, and directives have been issued to officers to increase their presence in areas of importance for the Jewish community,” the police wrote.
Ford wrote online that hate crime researchers have their “total support.”
“Hate, violence and anti -Semitism do not take place in our province,” wrote the first minister of Ontario.
I am deeply disturbed by the violent attack that took place this week against a Jewish woman in an Ottawa grocery store. My thoughts are with the victim and the Jewish community of Ottawa. I pray to recover completely.
The OTTAWA Police Hate Crime Unit has my complete …
The mayor of Ottawa, Mark Sutcliffe, acknowledged online that “representable violence has caused significant anguish within the Jewish community of Ottawa”, and expressed his “support and solidarity.”
Ottawa West-Nepean MPP Chandra Pasma described him as a “deeply worrying incident”, while deputy Anita Vandenbeld published that she was “mortified” and “I cannot imagine the fear of our Jewish neighbors.”
The leader of the Canada Conservative Party, Pierre Poilievre, joined the conversation on Friday morning, saying that he was “outraged by another vile anti -Semitic attack.”
He asked Prime Minister Mark Carly “to ensure that there are serious consequences for those who commit or incite antisemy crimes, including stronger laws on hate crimes and deportation of non -Canadians who come here to spread hatred.”
In X, Carney described the “deeply disturbing” attack on Friday.
“My thoughts are with her, her family and the Jewish community of Ottawa, and my support is with the application of the law while they work to quickly take the author,” Carney wrote.
“For the Jewish community of Canada: you are not alone. We are with you against hatred and threats to your security, and we will act to face anti -Semitism wherever it appears.”
