A youth in Ottawa has been charged with terrorist-related offences that allegedly targeted Jewish people, the RCMP said on Saturday.

The Mounties said in a statement that the suspect was arrested on Friday&nbsp;and that their age prevents any further release of information about the individual.

The RCMP said in the release that the suspect is alleged to have instructed someone, directly or indirectly, to carry out a terrorist activity against "Jewish persons."

Additionally, they are charged with "facilitation of a terrorist activity by communicating instructional material related to an explosive substance."

 say reports of hate crimes against Jews and Muslims have been rising since Oct. 7&nbsp;when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel&nbsp;prompting retaliatory military action in Gaza,&nbsp;a Palestinian enclave controlled by the militants.

Ottawa's mayor said he was shocked by the alleged planned attack, adding that&nbsp;"there has been a rise in antisemitism in Ottawa in recent weeks."

"I'm grateful and relieved that in this case, through strong investigative work, the [RCMP]&nbsp;and the [Ottawa Police Service]&nbsp;were able to avert this planned event before it happened,"&nbsp;

, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.

Indigo bookstore vandalism sparks debate over definition of antisemitism

The vandalism of an Indigo book store in Toronto illustrates the challenges that may come with both defining antisemitism, and when anti-Israel actions or sentiment cross the line from legitimate protest to hate.

Protesters gather outside an Indigo store in Toronto, on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. The demonstration, organized by the group "Jews Say No to Genocide," gathered outside the bookstore chain owned by Heather Reisman, was partly in response to arrests made on November 10 after the store was vandalized with red paint and had posters plastered on its window, claiming the Jewish founder of the company is “funding genocide.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Indigo-Protest 20231130

Protesters gather outside an Indigo store in Toronto on Thursday. The demonstration was partly in response to arrests made after the store was vandalized with red paint and had posters plastered on its window, claiming the chain's Jewish founder is 'funding genocide.'

"The Ottawa Police Service will continue to patrol synagogues and other Jewish institutions."

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, an advocacy group representing Jewish organizations across Canada, 

that it was grateful no one was hurt, noting that "the ongoing threat to our community remains very real."

About 1,200 people were killed in the Oct. 7 attack, according to a tally by Israeli officials, while 

&nbsp;has killed more than 18,000, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health.

Global Affairs Canada has confirmed that eight Canadians have died in the conflict:&nbsp;

&nbsp;where Israel has exchanged fire with Hezbollah, a militant group&nbsp;allied with&nbsp;Hamas.

An RCMP officer is seen on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in April 2017. A youth there has been charged with terrorist-related offences that allegedly targeted Jewish people, RCMP said Saturday.

Ottawa minor charged as RCMP allege connection to possible terrorist activity against Jewish people

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