Leo Baeck Day School in Ontario. Image by Google Maps

(JTA) — A Jewish day school in Toronto was vandalized by graffiti supporting the Palestinian cause and the Gaza terrorist group Hamas.

“Free Palestine,” “Long Live Palestine” and “Long Life to the Hamas” were found Tuesday morning on signs in front of the Leo Baeck Day School. The vandalism occurred the previous evening, which was observed as Thanksgiving in Canada.

The head of school, Eric Petersiel, said in a statement that police are investigating and “have assured us that at this stage there are no safety issues associated with this incident.”

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

“We know that our neighbors stand with us against hate, which has absolutely no place in our neighborhood. We value the positive relationships we’ve forged with our neighbors over the years,” he wrote. “We must remain vigilant to ensure the perpetrator is brought to justice and we hope we can count on our community to come forward with any information about this incident.”

B’nai Brith Canada was informed of the vandalism by a call to its Anti-Hate Hotline.

“These despicable acts of vandalism supporting Palestinian terrorism targeted a Jewish school where Canadian children learn about Torah, the value of charity and community, and other important values and ethics,” said Michael Mostyn, CEO of B’nai Brith Canada.

“This affront is a direct example of how anti-Zionism and antisemitism are often one and the same, and how support for BDS [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions] and other anti-Israel movements can directly lead to instances of cold, calculated anti-Jewish hatred.”

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount