Sault police boost security around Congregation Beth Jacob

Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is providing increased protection around the Congregation Beth Jacob synagogue on Bruce Street, Mayor Matthew Shoemaker announced on Tuesday.

The mayor spoke at the beginning of a city council meeting, responding to the horrendous war in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas that's already claimed thousands of lives.

"Before we move to the adoption of the minutes, I'd like to also note that over the weekend, we all watched in horror as the scenes from the Middle East showed on televisions and news sources throughout the world," the mayor said.

"I want to state that the attack on Israel was an unprovoked act of terrorism committed by Hamas [the militant group controlling the Gaza Strip] that targeted innocent civilians at the turn of the Hebrew calendar, which is supposed to be a time of celebration and renewal for Jews globally.

"While it may seem far from us locally, this unprovoked act of war has had a profound impact on the Jewish communities across the world, including our own Jewish community.

"Over the weekend, I corresponded with local Jewish leaders and the police chief, to convey the support of all of the city of Sault Ste. Marie and the concern that we have.

"Sault police have increased patrols at the local synagogue. And I want to make it clear that the city stands in complete solidarity with the local Jewish community.

"We are flying the Israeli flag outside of the civic centre as a demonstration of our support for Israel and for our local Jewish community."

Also attending in the council chambers were Jeff and Tova Arbus from Congregation Beth Jacobs.

"Thank you, mayor and council, for your show of support for the reach out that many of you have have given to our community directly. The flying of the flag was intensely moving and appreciated," said Jeff Arbus.

"I can reiterate the members of the Jewish community – worldwide and locally – will be feeling despondent, will be grieving and will be fearful.

"We know from history of the past 20 years that when acts like this have been performed by Hamas, global anti-Semitism has risen. We're seeing dramatic spikes already in the U.K. and in European countries. And in some parts of Ontario.

"The rallies that you've seen that are being called pro-Palestinian are in fact celebratory rallies of the terrorism that Hamas perpetrated on civilians on Saturday, which was not only the turning of a new page in the calendar, but also the Jewish Sabbath.

"We can talk about Palestinian self-determination. And we should have those conversations. We should lobby for that. I'm all in for that.

"Condemning terrorism stands on its own. You're taking a stand to condemn terrorism. The outright murder – this was the largest loss of civilian Jewish life since the Holocaust – what happened on Saturday in one day, so let that sink in.

"I won't go into graphic details. I've seen videos posted on Gaza TV with the identities of the victims verified by Israeli authorities. They are too horrific to mention, let alone view.

"Attacks on civilians in fact drive a wedge into any chances of a two-state settlement and the establishment of a Palestinian state is not the Hamas agenda.

"Their agenda is a complete takeover of the entire region. And they demonstrated that by not attacking Israeli army bases, by not attacking Israeli government buildings, but by attacking mostly civilians.

"Taking grandmothers hostage, taking infants hostage and you all know what they did at the music festival with 260 people.

So it is a horrible situation. We are impacted directly. Immediately the guard goes up.

"We're hoping that anti-Semitic incidents will not happen here. We're hoping for peace in the region, but we know it's likely to get worse before it gets better.

"On behalf of the president of our congregation, Tova, and her family and all of our members, I want to thank you for standing up for your principles and for showing the city what leadership really is all. So thank you."