“Intense and immense solidarity and brotherhood and sisterhood with the Congregation of Sons of Jacob. I’m here in support, as I have been since the hours after and the minutes after this shooting, to remind you that if it can happen in Belleville, this kind of hate can happen anywhere in Canada.”
From left to right: Noah Shack, CEO for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs; Bay of Quinte MP Chris Malette speaking at the podium; Shima Vigodda, Sons of Jacob vice president, who was inside the synagogue that night; Doug Lobel who was also inside on the night of the shooting in Belleville in September.
Shima Vigodda is the vice president of the Belleville house of worship and was inside that night.
“I cannot begin to tell you what we as a community, and Canada as a country, very nearly lost on that evening. We came razor close to experiencing what could have been one of the worst mass casualty events in Canadian history.”
Doug Lobel was also inside and spoke to national media.
“One question I’m often asked about the night a gun came is whether I was surprised this can happen. Sadly, the answer is no. Jewish communities across Canada have been warning that escalating antisemitism could and would eventually lead to violence.”
Noah Shack is the CEO for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and says Canada’s new National Security Strategy opens with a warning.
“Threats, once thought distant, are now immediate and proximate. What happened in Belleville underscores how urgent and close those threats truly are.”
Vigodda made a call for policy support and changes moving forward.
“As a government, you have the power to act, to restore what Prime Minister Carney referred to as the Civic Compact with Jewish Canadians. In doing so, you not only make our community safer, but also work to fulfill the promise of building a better Canada.”
He also discussed security measures that are needed at the Belleville place of worship.
“Such things as bulletproof, bullet-resistant glass, replacement of the inner and outer doors, construction of a safe room, the installation of fencing, creating physical barriers to slow or halt a would-be attacker, security personnel on site, or perhaps most importantly, armed police presence.”
Shack says with the government tabling a budget this week, it provides a chance to offer support.
“Thursday’s federal budget is an opportunity for the government to build on its new national strategy by investing in counter-radicalization, intelligence, and counter-terrorism.”
Hastings Lennox and Addington Tyendinaga MP Shelby Kramp-Neuman (far right) stands beside Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who speak with susvivors from the Sons of Jacob Synagogue, along with advocates.
