Bomb threat prompts evacuation of Jewish community centre in Vancouver

A bomb threat at a Jewish community centre on Vancouver’s west side prompted the evacuation of the building Tuesday night.

Around 9 pm, Vancouver Police were called to the building, located on West 41 Avenue, not far from Oak Street, in response to the threat.

The threat however, turned out to be unfounded, but the investigation is ongoing, police said.

“No explosive devices were located,” VPD Const. Jason Doucette told Daily Hive. “Staff and guests returned to the building a short time later.”

‘We cannot allow hatred to become routine’

On Wednesday, BC Premier Christy Clark responded to the incident in a statement.

“The threat turned out to be a hoax, but the fear caused by acts of anti-Semitism and threats like this at Jewish community sites across Canada and the United States is very real,” she said.

“We cannot allow hatred to become routine. We will only stop hatred by calling it out, condemning it – and continuing to lead by example, as a thriving, vibrant example that diversity leads to strength, not weakness.”

BC must continue to be “a welcoming, safe home to peoples of all faiths and ethnicities,” Clark added. “There is no better example of this than the JCC, where people of many cultures come together and are welcomed. We will not be divided, and we will not change the values that define us.”