Mayor Sutcliffe condemns Hamas attack, OPS increases presence around synagogues, mosques
Posted Oct 8, 2023 09:16:08 AM.
Last Updated Oct 9, 2023 10:56:37 AM.
The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is increasing its presence around synagogues and mosques in the aftermath of the Hamas surprise attack in Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip on Saturday, Oct. 7.
Hamas militants stunned Israel in the morning with hundreds of rockets and sent gunmen into as many as 22 locations outside the Gaza Strip, including towns and other communities about 24 kilometers away.
Hundreds were killed and 1,500 wounded in Saturday’s attack, making it the deadliest in Israel in decades.
“Today’s attack on Israel has an impact on our own community in Ottawa,” said the OPS on X on Saturday, Oct. 7. “We are also reaching out to community partners to ensure they know we are here to support them. Hate Crimes will not be tolerated and will be fully investigated.”
The attack came during the Jewish holiday Simchat Torah.
Today’s attack on Israel has an impact on our own community in Ottawa. We have increased police presence in areas of religious significance including synagogues and mosques.
We are also reaching out to community partners to ensure they know we are here to support them.
Hate…— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) October 7, 2023
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has spoken out against the incident, condemning the attack, and said he has spoken to leaders of Ottawa’s Jewish community to offer his support.
“Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism,” he said on X. “On behalf of all Ottawa residents, I stand in solidarity with Ottawa’s Jewish community.”
I’ve spoken this weekend with leaders of Ottawa’s Jewish community to offer my support and to express my shock and condemnation at the terrorist attacks against innocent Israeli citizens by Hamas. Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism. On behalf of all Ottawa…
— Mark Sutcliffe (@_MarkSutcliffe) October 8, 2023
The OPS said on X that residents can expect traffic disruptions in Ottawa’s downtown core near Lisgar, Elgin, Queen and O’Connor streets “due to to an unplanned demonstration” and warned “there is no tolerance for vehicle-based demonstrations and unlawful behaviour will be addressed.”
“Officers will be in the area to ensure public safety,” the OPS said on X. “As with all demonstrations, officers attend to ensure the safety and protect the rights of demonstrators and the public.”
There is a potential for traffic disruptions this afternoon in the downtown core near Lisgar & Elgin and Queen & O’Connor, due to an unplanned demonstration.
Officers will be in the area to ensure public safety.
As with all demonstrations, officers attend to ensure the safety… pic.twitter.com/5oFowEx1zL
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) October 8, 2023
With files from The Associated Press.
