A Jewish-owned restaurant in Toronto was targeted by gunfire early Friday morning, marking the 12th such incident in a recent wave of antisemitic violence in the city. The Old Avenue restaurant in North Toronto was struck around 1:30 a. m., with surveillance video showing a suspect firing multiple shots into the building. The incident occurred during Passover, a significant Jewish holiday.
This marks the second time a location of the same restaurant has been targeted, with another location near Dufferin Street and Steeles Avenue hit by gunfire last month. In addition to the restaurants, three Toronto-area synagogues have also been targeted in recent attacks. Toronto police had already increased patrols and set up command posts near Jewish institutions for Passover.
Israel's ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, condemned the shooting and urged authorities to take action "before it's too late". Israel's consul general in Toronto, Idit Shamir, stated that the restaurant owner is a "prominent and activist member of the Jewish community," suggesting the targeting was not random. She added that the repeated attacks are creating a "climate of intimidation" and called for enforcement, deterrence, and a clear demonstration that antisemitic violence carries consequences.
Community member Sharlene Wilder told CTV News that "Antisemitism, Jew hatred... has been normalized in our community". Police are investigating the incident, with the Gun and Gangs Unit leading the investigation and increasing patrols in the area.
