Swastika spray-painted beside car belonging to Jewish son of Holocaust survivors in Kelowna, Canada

A swastika was found spray-painted onto the pavement next to a Jewish man’s car in Kelowna, Canada last Wednesday.

The red swastika graffiti was discovered in the car park of the ProActive Physiotherapy clinic where Michael, the Jewish man in question, works as an osteopathic practitioner.

Upon discovery of the antisemitic vandalism, Michael said that “fear was the initial reaction.” He continued: “(It was) fear and anger, but mainly fear, because I’m a child of Holocaust survivors. I was raised with the knowledge, the education and the details of what my parents went through in the work camps and all my aunts, uncles and grandparents being transported, gassed and cremated.”

“At the clinic, besides wearing my scrubs, I openly wear my yarmulke,” Michael said. He added: “I don’t hide my Judaism or my Jewish identity, as I don’t believe I should in a free country like Canada.”

Kelowna Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are investigating the situation and are appealing for any information or dashcam footage.

Sargent Joel Glen of West Kelowna RCMP said: “Racism of any kind has no place in our community and will not be tolerated. We are conducting a fulsome investigation into this incident, and appeal to anyone who witnessed it to come forward.”

Police added that if anyone has any information, they should call Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2800.

In May, Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, offered his support to Canada’s Jews. In a tweet, he wrote: “I am deeply disturbed by recent reports of antisemitic acts in Montreal and across the country. This intimidation and violence is absolutely unacceptable – and it must stop immediately. There is no place for hate of any kind in Canada.”

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