Ottawa police increase patrols around Jewish institutions following shooting in Washington, D.C.

Ottawa police are enhancing patrols around Jewish institutions after two Israeli embassy employees were killed in Washington. CTV’s Stefan Keyes reports.

The Ottawa Police Service says it is stepping up patrols around Jewish institutions in the city following the shooting of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington, D.C.

A gunman shot and killed a couple, identified as Israeli citizen Yaron Lischinsky and American citizen Sarah Milgrim, Wednesday night following an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. Police said the suspect shouted “Free, free Palestine” after being arrested.

Ottawa police said in a statement that the shooting was “deeply troubling” and has left many in the community, particularly Jewish residents, feeling vulnerable.

“The Ottawa Police Service has increased patrols around synagogues, schools, and community spaces as a precaution and to provide reassurance. There is no known threat to public safety in Ottawa at this time,” police said. “Our thoughts are with the victims’ families, friends, and all who knew them.”

Other police services, such as York Regional Police and Toronto Police, have taken similar measures.

Sgt. Chabine Tucker, with the diversity resource and relations section with the Ottawa Police Service, said officers are having conversations with many Jewish leaders in the community.

“Sometimes it’s not just what we’re going to do, it’s what they need as well, so that’s what we’re going to try to figure out in the next couple days,” he said.

The shooting in Washington led to condemnation from political leaders, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, who said he was “devastated and appalled” by the killing.

“This was a targeted attack against the Jewish community — a violent act of antisemitism. This hate is intolerable, and I condemn it in the strongest terms,” Carney said.

He added his government would introduce legislation to make it a crime to “intentionally and willfully obstruct access to any place of worship, schools, and community centres” and to “willfully intimidate or threaten those attending services at these locations.”

The City of Ottawa is also looking into a “bubble zone bylaw” that would prohibit protests and demonstrations near “vulnerable social infrastructure” such as places of worship.

Ottawa has seen regular protests against the Israeli campaign in Gaza following the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 people and led to approximately 250 people being taken hostage, some of whom remain captive. The campaign since has devastated Gaza, killing more than 53,000 people according to local health authorities, who don’t differentiate between combatants and civilians. The United Nations said this week it is trying to get food, medicine and other aid into Gaza. On Monday, Canada, the United Kingdom and France condemned Israel’s expansion of military operations and other actions in Gaza and the West Bank, threatening in a joint statement to take concrete actions, including sanctions.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Shaun Vardon, The Associated Press, and The Canadian Press