Increased police presence around Ottawa's Jewish Institutions on Friday

Ottawa police heightened its presence around Jewish institutions across the capital on Friday in the wake of "online global threats" related to the Israel-Hamas war.

"Jews today are scared," Andrea Freedman, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, told CTV News Ottawa.

Police forces in Ottawa and other Canadian cities have increased patrols at areas of cultural and religious significance after a former Hamas leader called for a "day of mobilization" around the world.

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Police reported no incidents in Ottawa on Friday. It's day seven of the Israel-Hamas war, which has claimed at least 2,800 lives on both sides since Hamas launched an incursion last Saturday.

"There is no credible information about threats locally, but we remain vigilant," Ottawa police said in a statement on Thursday.

In Ottawa, some parents said they were worried about sending their children to school on Friday.

"It's putting fear around the world and it's putting fear somewhere we would never expect locally," parent Tal Scher said. "It was a big question, will we send our kids to school today when Hamas is inciting today to be a day of anger and a day of rage."

The Jewish Federation of Ottawa encouraged Ottawa's Jewish community to be "extra vigilant" in the wake of the online threats.

"We're fearful about what will happen; parents were faced with a very difficult decision about what to do with their children today when they're at a Jewish day school or a Jewish daycare. It is a very, very tough day for Jews around the world," Freedman said.

Jon Mitzmacher of the Ottawa Jewish Community School told CTV News Ottawa, "Opening up a school should not be something that is considered an act of bravery and parents having to decide whether or not to send their children to school should not have to be considered an act of courage."

"It's just an indication of how unfathomable the times that we are living in."

Montreal's Jewish General Hospital told staff to postpone all non-essential outpatient appointments on Friday in response to the broader global threat. Federation CJA helped pay for private security guards at Jewish institutions in the city.

In Toronto, three male suspects were arrested outside of a Jewish high school in North York on Thursday after allegedly showing up to the school, making threats and refusing to leave. 

A pro-Palestine protest was held on a Highway 417 overpass in Ottawa's west end Friday afternoon. Approximately two dozen people stood on the Pinecrest overpass with banners saying 'We stand with Palestine' and 'Free Palestine.'

Dozens of people held a pro-Palestine demonstration on the Pinecrest overpass along Hwy. 417 on Friday. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa)

The Ottawa Police Service says it remains "deeply concerned about the local impact of the ongoing conflict" in Israel and Gaza.

"We are fully committed to community safety, and we are actively engaged with our local Jewish and Palestinian communities to hear, understand and address their concerns and ensure their safety," acting Chief Paul Burnett said in a statement.

• Public safety concerns mount in Canada as Israel-Hamas war intensifies

"Our intelligence and investigative units continue to work with federal and provincial police and security partners and monitor the local situation.

"We continue to see peaceful assemblies of residents and we will be there to protect individuals and their rights. There is zero tolerance for hate incidents or hate crimes in Ottawa. We will investigate any reports of hate motivated offences, incidents, or acts."

Algonquin College released a statement on Friday to say it has increased vigilance on campus.

"We have seen this situation create heightened tensions around the world, including here at home, and our Risk Management team will be increasing vigilance to ensure our campuses are safe and secure," Algonquin said. "The College has zero tolerance for any incidents of hate and treats all reports of antisemitism, Islamophobia, intimidation, threats, harassment, or violence with the greatest seriousness."

With files from CP24 Web Writer Joshua Freeman, CTV Montreal's Joe Lofaro and CTV News Winnipeg's Devon McKendrick