Joseph Rooke accused of stabbing elderly Jewish woman in Ottawa

In Canada, an incident of violence occurred in early August 2023, when a 71-year-old man named Joseph Rooke was charged with aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon after he allegedly stabbed a Jewish woman in her 70s. The attack took place inside a Loblaws grocery store, which is known for having one of the largest Kosher food sections in Ottawa. Following the stabbing, the victim sustained serious injuries and was promptly taken to the hospital, but later released the same day. The Jewish Federation of Ottawa confirmed that she is recovering and described her as a cherished community member. Law enforcement has classified the stabbing as a hate-motivated crime, and they are investigating Rooke's social media history, where he had reportedly expressed antisemitic views and anti-religious sentiments. Rooke, who claims to be of First Nations descent, had a history of posting inflammatory remarks online about Jewish individuals, including derogatory comments about Judaism itself. This pattern of behavior seemed to escalate following the October 7th attacks on Israel, which triggered a rise in antisemitic incidents across Canada. The Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs noted that this stabbing is part of a concerning trend of increasing antisemitism in the country. Various incidents, such as bomb threats against Jewish institutions and attacks on synagogues, have occurred in the wake of violent events involving Israel and Hamas. The stabbing in Ottawa raised alarms within the Jewish community and prompted responses from several public figures, including the Prime Minister of Canada and the Premier of Ontario, who condemned the violence and hate. Rooke remained in custody after the incident, awaiting his next court appearance. He is being viewed not only as an individual perpetrator but also as a reflection of a broader societal issue concerning the rise of antisemitic rhetoric and violence. Public discussions are calling for immediate and effective measures to combat the growing tide of hate in Canada, emphasizing the duty of local and national governments to protect their citizens from such crimes.