Toronto police investigate “Shoot a Jew in the head” graffiti

An image showing an antisemitic caricature of a Jew beside the words “Shoot a Jew in the head” is being investigated by the Hate Crimes Division of Toronto Police.

The antisemitic graffiti depicting a figure with sidelocks and a Star of David inside a gun’s crosshairs was found near Toronto’s York University.

In a statement, the University condemned the image and said it was “working closely with law enforcement” to find the perpetrators of this “hateful antisemitic act.”

It also said support was available to students and that “direct outreach” was being offered to Jewish student groups.

A York University graduate student, Garrett Ryan, told a local news outlet that antisemitic graffiti was “not a surprising thing” in the area but it was “frightening” that people were inciting “violence.”

According to data compiled by B’nai B’rith Canada, antisemitic hate crimes in the country have reached record levels for six consecutive years.

A recent audit by the group found that there were 2,799 antisemitic hate crimes that year, including assaults, synagogue vandalism, and swastika graffiti in schools. 

In May, B’nai B’rith Canada urged the Canadian government to report on its progress in fulfilling its promise – made last year at the Malmo International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism – to fight antisemitism throughout Canada.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project. 

Image credit: Twitter via The Algemeiner