A Jewish woman in her 70s was stabbed in broad daylight at a grocery store in Ottawa. The stunning incident befell Wednesday afternoon at a Loblaws retailer on Baseline Road, the place the sufferer was purchasing with a good friend.Ottawa Police Service confirmed Friday that the assault is being investigated as a ‘hate-motivated’ crime. Police mentioned the attacker, who didn’t know her, approached and stabbed her with out provocation. She was critically injured however survived after being rushed to hospital. The suspect, recognized as Joseph Rooke, 71, of Cornwall, Ontario, was arrested at the scene. He has been charged with aggravated assault and possession of a harmful weapon. Rooke appeared in court docket Thursday and is due again on September 2. The attack has despatched shockwaves by means of Canada’s Jewish group. Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on X, “To the Canadian Jewish community: you are not alone. In full solidarity, we denounce the hatred and threats to your safety.” Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre condemned the assault as “yet another vile antisemitic attack” and urged stronger hate-crime laws. Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said the incident had “caused significant distress” among the city’s Jewish community, adding that security would be bolstered in certain neighborhoods. Local representatives also voiced concern. Ottawa West-Nepean MPP Chandra Pasma called it a “deeply troubling incident,” while MP Anita Vandenbeld said she was “mortified” and “cannot imagine the fear of our Jewish neighbours.”