Canadian Jews are expressing concern following the recent release of hate crime statistics indicating that the Jewish community is the most targeted religious group in the country.
Statistics Canada revealed last week that incidents involving Jews accounted for 13 percent of all hate crimes, though noted a decline since 2014-2015, when the previous figures were released. Muslims were the next most commonly targeted group, accounting for 12 percent of hate crmes. In total, the official statistics body recorded 178 incidents over the course of 2015. 
Shimon Koffler Fogel, CEO of the Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs, called the latest statistics “disturbing” and urged Canadians to see these incidents as a cause of concern.
“This should be of grave concern to all Canadians because anti-Semitism has historically been a telling indicator of the overall health of a society’s values,” Fogel said in a statement.
“Those who target Jews ultimately threaten the freedom, equality, and security of all.” he added.
CIJA also noted that other minority communities, including the Muslim community, were becoming increasingly targeted by attacks and said it joined “all Canadians of good will in condemning hatred in all its forms regardless of target. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us."
CIJA also reiterated its support for amending the criminal code to improve hate crime protections and for expanding and modernizing security at Jewish institutions.
