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With the Israel-Hamas War now into its 10th month, the Ottawa Police Service reported Monday that it had seen a more than 100 per cent increase in hate-motivated incidents against both the Jewish and Muslim communities so far in 2024.
A total of 74 incidents had been reported against the Jewish, compared to 36 at this time in 2023, while there had been 15 incidents reported against Muslims, up from seven at this point last year.
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Despite those significant increases, police reported in a news release that there had been a slight decline of about two per cent in overall hate- and bias-motivated incidents so far in 2024.
The 225 reported hate-motivated incidents to date in 2024 included 174 deemed criminal and 51 determined to be hate-motivated but non-criminal, with 26 people charged with 65 counts of hate-motivated offences and four formal Youth Criminal Justice Act warnings.
Of the 230 reported hate-motivated incidents reported at this time in 2023, 178 were deemed criminal and 52 were considered to be hate-motivated but non-criminal.
In addition to the Jewish and Muslim communities, police said groups most affected by the hate-motivated data for this year included Black (36 incidents), 2SLGBTQQIA+ (24 incidents) and Arab (14 incidents).
“Each and every hate-motivated incident has a lasting impact not only on those who have been targeted, but throughout the neighbourhoods and communities where they occur,” the release stated. “If you have been a victim of a hate-motivated incident you can file a report online or call us at 613-236-1222, extension 7300. If you are in immediate danger, please dial 911 right away.”
The Ottawa police hate and bias crime unit is currently working, in conjunction with the Crown’s attorney’s office, to investigate all reported incidents, police said.
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