*An Important Community Update from the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver*
We want to provide you with an update on community security and an assurance that we are doing everything in our power to keep everyone in our community safe and fully informed.
We take community security very seriously. It is our top priority.
As you may have heard in the news, Hezbollah is calling for a day of rage in response to a hospital in Gaza being hit by a rocket. Hamas is blaming Israel. The IDF says it was a rocket misfired by Islamic Jihad. In addition, a pro-Palestine rally is planned for Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. We are telling you this so that you can consider avoiding the area.
There continues to be no specific increased threat to our community.
It is likely that there will be calls for additional days of rage in the future, and so there are two things we want to communicate:
The first is that we take these very seriously, and we will always act in a proactive, abundantly cautious manner when it comes to community security.
The second is that we also recognize that these calls are also designed as a tool of intimidation and fear to harm our mental and emotional health. They are meant to stop us from going about our daily lives, regardless of whether there are specific security threats.
As a precaution, we will maintain increased security across the community.
Our director of security has been in touch with the Vancouver Police Department and the RCMP, who are conducting threat assessments and monitoring social media for potential issues. We want to thank them again for their ongoing support and responsiveness.
Here are some things to remember:
- VPD and RCMP will continue to maintain a visible presence in front of high-profile organizations, as much as possible. This includes schools, synagogues, and the JCC. Please note that there may not be a car present at all times and you may not see people in uniform.
- VPD and RCMP will also continue their increased patrols around all Jewish institutions.
- Jewish organizations are flagged as priority institutions, which means that any emergency call from them to law enforcement will result in an immediate and enhanced response.
- We continue to connect with partner organizations around security protocols.
- Do not engage with protesters, keep away from protest sites, stay aware of your surroundings, and report anything suspicious to the police.
We will update you again if we receive new information or the situation changes. In the meantime, please know that we are here for you during this challenging time.
