The stabbing of a Jewish woman in broad daylight in a grocery store in Ottawa has led public officials, including the mayor of the city, the Prime Minister of Ontario and the Prime Minister to condemn what they are calling a disturbing act of motivated violence of hate 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 arrested at the scene and accused of aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon, 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.”
‘This is not Ottawa’
At a press conference on Friday afternoon, Ottawa mayor Mark Sutcliffe said that this recent incidents of motivated hate violence are unacceptable.
“I feel upset because this is not Ottawa,” he said. “People should be able to go to the grocery store without experiencing the risk of violence. They should be able to take the bus without being afraid. They should be able to go to their place of worship without feeling intimidated.”
Sutcliffe said he approached the local Jewish community to offer his support and solidarity, and said he has also spoken with the stabbing victim.
“Fortunately, she is fine. It could have been much worse,” he said. “I think that above all, I just wanted to indicate its gratitude to the first to answer that they helped her, to the community that met her. He felt loved.”
The stabbing occurred in the Coun University room. Laine Johnson, who called the “heartbreaking” incident.
“How are people supposed to move around the world they feel safe when we have these moments?” She asked.
The Ontario Prime Minister reacted to the online incident: “Hate, violence and anti -Semitism do not take place in our province,” Ford said.
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 …
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.”
During Friday’s press conference, Sutcliffe mentioned other recent incidents, including the motivated hate assault of a Muslim woman aboard an OC Transpo bus, and the racist graffiti scribbled outside a building of the Muslim association in Stittsville.
“For the members of our Muslim community, I want to reiterate that you are not alone. We are with you. The whole community is with you, but we have to do better as a community,” said Sutcliffe.
