Police investigate man filming video outside Beth Tikvah Synagogue

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Toronto Police say they’re investigating a complaint about a man posting a video shot outside a synagogue that was vandalized this year.

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Perhaps this is an updated approach to focus more on protesters going into Jewish neighbourhoods to protest that would not be tolerated against any other community.

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The same approach could also help deter anti-Israel demonstrators who head to North York every weekend amid allegations they block people from walking on sidewalks and some even carry antisemitic signs — while masked — through predominately Jewish neighbourhoods.

‘Increasingly toxic environment’

“What has been allowed to occur on a now weekly basis in the Bathurst and Sheppard neighbourhood is unacceptable,” said B’nai Brith Canada’s new Chief Executive Officer Simon Wolle. “The inaction of municipal leaders has created an increasingly toxic environment for residents. Law enforcement must be authorized to reign in the instigators who are accosting the neighborhood with impunity.”

There was no hesitation by Toronto Police on this one. And this is an important first step.

“We are aware of this individual filming outside a synagogue and it’s being actively investigated by Toronto Police,” said police spokesperson Stephanie Sayer.

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While “no charges have been laid at this time” there is a relief in the Jewish community that this is being taken seriously.

It was a well-known anti-Israel protester outside the Beth Tikvah Synagogue, at Finch and Bayview Aves., who made a video in which he filmed the buildings, parking lot and commented on some mini-Israeli flags in a garden out front.

Shaken people up

This video has shaken some people up.

It “put an entire community on edge,” said Josh Landau, of the Ontario for Centre of Israel and Jewish Affairs. “There must be consequences for such hateful and intimidating actions.”

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Posted to social media under the headline, “Synagogues in Canda supporting war crimes,” activist Firas Al Najim in the video said “are they mixing religion and politics together?” and “these shuls . . . and schools are used to support war crimes and brainwash children.”

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Al Najim has not so far commented.

There have been no charges laid in this incident outside the synagogue.

But there was much concern over his video.

“There is no justification for inciting against a synagogue,” said Richard Robertson, of B’nai Brith Canada. “This type of provocation only serves to embolden and justify the crimes of those who wish to harm the Jewish community.”

Landau added “synagogues in Toronto are repeatedly under attack and now, this video could embolden even more hateful actions against Beth Tikvah Congregation.”

The question this time is it lawful for someone to stand on a sidewalk and film into somewhere or if the new laws designed to protect places of worship could be enforced in this case? There has been no allegation so far that there were any breaches of these rules.

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