Media reports indicate Hamas has issued a statement calling for supporters worldwide to participate in a “day of mobilization”—describing it as a day of “heroism and sacrifice.”

UJA Community Security immediately contacted our partners in law enforcement, including in Toronto and York Region, to raise this issue and seek guidance. We are conveying to you today what we learned from police, to enable meaningful information-sharing in our community.

In meetings and conversations, including with Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw today, police have shared the following:

• At present, there is no known or specific local threat to the GTA Jewish community
• As a precaution, police will be setting up a mobile command post in the Jewish community
• Police are increasing patrols in the Jewish community
• Police currently advise regular activities continue in the Jewish community, and do not advise the closure of Jewish institutions or facilities at this time
• However, they noted that they are monitoring this fluid situation closely and will communicate directly to the community if this guidance changes or if there is a need to close institutions

UJA Community Security is also in communication with our national Jewish community security partners at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA). CIJA’s research team will continue to proactively monitor English, Arabic, and Farsi media and social media for concerning information to convey to police. We are also in communication with our continental partners at the Jewish Federations of North America’s Secure Community Network to benefit from their ongoing expertise as well.

We ask for the community to exercise a heightened degree of healthy vigilance and situational awareness. Extra attention should be paid by Jewish institutions to ensuring all security protocols are being followed, particularly regarding access controls and doors that should remain locked.

If you see something, please say something. We ask community members to report concerning information directly to police. Sharing unverified security concerns on social media can have unintended consequences—and is no replacement for calling law enforcement directly.

In an emergency, call 911. When safe, please call UJA Community Security’s 24/7 hotline at 416-635-5600, so we can liaise with police and Jewish institutions across Toronto as needed.

Thank you. We are committed to continue sharing meaningful information with our community throughout this difficult time.

Our thoughts remain with the people of Israel—Am Yisrael Chai.