In early March, three synagogues in the Toronto area were the target of drive-by shootings, causing minor property damage. Two of the shootings took place late at night when the synagogues were empty. The third shooting took place while worshipers were still in the building. Fortunately, no one was injured.

As of the writing of this editorial no arrests had been made in connection with the incidents, nor had a motive been established.

It’s entirely possible, if not highly likely, that the shootings were carried out by an individual or individuals who were reacting to Israel’s three-year old military campaign in Gaza, or it’s recent bombing of Iran and invasion of southern Lebanon. But let’s be clear, no one in Canada’s Jewish community has anything to do with either of those actions. They are being carried out by the right wing Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu.

And while some members of Canada’s Jewish community may support the Israeli government’s actions – either because they share the same Zionist views, or support Israel and its right to defend itself – not all Jewish Canadians do.

It is categorically wrong to desecrate a synagogue or any house of worship for that matter. To do so shows extreme ignorance and a level of malice that is unacceptable in this country and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

To lump the Jewish community into one homogeneous group is just as racist as lumping any other ethnic community together.

The Jewish community can be divided up into three religious movements as well as secular Judaism. The three main religious move-ments are Orthodox Judaism including Hasidic Jews, Conservative Judaism and Reform Judaism. Although not a religious movement per se, Zionism is a nationalist movement that at minimum believes in Israel’s right to exist, and in the extreme, believes Israel is entitled to all the land that makes up Palestine including Gaza and the West Bank.

To further complicate matters, not all people who identify themselves as being Zionist necessarily support the Israeli government’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. Support for Israel’s right to exist within a two state solution is not mutually exclusive.

But not all Jewish people identify as being Zionist. Following Hamas’ incursion into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 surveys in Israel showed that 65 per cent of respondents identified as being Zionist to some degree. In a study conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute in 2025, 29 per cent of Israeli Jews who were surveyed identified themselves as being religious, or hard core Zionists.

All of which to say, lumping all Jewish people together is flat out wrong and ignores the fact that here are many Jews who support a two-state solution and an enduring peace.