Police investigate anti-Semitic vandalism in Thornhill

York regional police are investigating after anti-Semitic graffiti was found sprayed on a bus shelter in Thornhill.

The shelter, which is located at Atkinson Avenue and Spring Gate Boulevard, near Bathurst Street, was defaced with a swastika and the words “F**k Israel” spray-painted on it.

Sgt. Clint Whitney said they received several calls from residents in the area.

“We’re investigating this as a crime known as mischief to property. But of course we’re investigating it with an element of hate motivation,” Whitney said.

He said the York police’s hate crime unit has been notified and are investigating.

Police believe the incident occurred between midnight and 7 a.m.

The graffiti was changed later Wednesday to read “I f**kin’ love Israel.”

WARNING: Image contains graphic language

 

This is the second incident of hateful vandalism in the area this week.

On Sunday night, the sidewalk in front of the Ja’ffari Community Centre at 9000 Bathurst St., near Rutherford Road, was spray-painted with the words “Arab go home” and “F**k Gaza.”

A spray-painted Star of David remains on the sign of the centre, and a spray paint cap was found at the scene.

City crews have since cleaned up the graffiti at the bus shelter.

In a statement, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said it strongly condemns the incident.

“This repulsive act of anti-Semitism, in the heart of Toronto’s largest Jewish community, is an affront to not only Jews, but all Canadians,” Berl Nadler, the centre’s Greater Toronto co-chair said.

Ted Sokolsky, the CEO of the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto said “incidents like this and the Thornhill mosque defacement earlier this week have no place in Canadian society.”

There’s no word on suspects in either cases.

Police are looking for witnesses and surveillance video of the incident.

Anyone with information is being asked to call York police at 1-866-876-5423 (ext. 7241), Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS, anonymously online at www.1800222tips.com, or text your tip to CRIMES (274637) starting with the word YORK.

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