Halifax police lay charges for hateful graffiti painted on synagogues

Halifax Regional Police have charged a 31-year-old man with public incitement of hatred after an investigation into six antisemitic graffiti messages painted last weekend on three Jewish sites.

They arrested Gezim Topalli Tuesday at his Halifax home. He’s slated to appear in Halifax provincial court Wednesday on three counts of mischief related to religious property, three counts of property damage and public incitement of hatred.

Topalli allegedly sprayed a swastika on the Shaar Shalom synagogue, on Oxford Street, overnight last Saturday. He also allegedly painted graffiti on the Beth Israel synagogue, a few blocks away. A nearby building associated with the Chabad-Lubavitch of the Maritimes Rohr Family Institute was also defaced

A nearby building associated with the Chabad-Lubavitch of the Maritimes Rohr Family Institute was also defaced with the words “Jews did 9/11.”

The incidents happened after days of protests in the city against Israeli participation in the Davis Cup tennis tournament.

“I am pleased with the outcome of this investigation. While I credit the quick and thorough work of HRP’s hate crime investigator, I also want to thank the public who came forward to help identify the suspect,” HRP Chief Don MacLean said in a written statement. “The swift and seamless collaboration between police and the community represents our city taking a strong and unified stance against the promotion of hatred.”

Police urge “anyone exposed to behaviour that is offensive, threatening or intimidating” to call them at 902-490-5020, said a news release.

“Even if the investigation does not find criminal wrongdoing, it is important to have it on record.”

• Rob Roberts: The meaning of a swastika painted on a Halifax synagogue
• Outrage after Halifax synagogues tagged with 'Jews did 9/11' and swastika graffiti

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