It was only five days ago that Canadians and people all over the world celebrated the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. And just two days after that, Canada's National Holocaust Monument was defaced. 

Ottawa Police tweeted about the incident on January 29, saying "Police are investigating an incident involving the defacing of the National Holocaust Monument on Booth Street and treating this matter seriously."

"It will be investigated as a hate-motivated incident by our Hate Crimes Section."

Just days after International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa is vandalized. This is unacceptable and a stark reminder of the rising tide of antisemitism. If you know anything about this incident please contact @OttawaPolice. @CanadianFSWC https://t.co/0k2W8p0RUX

— Michael Levitt 🇨🇦 (@LevittMichael) January 30, 2020

According to Global News,  Const. Amy Gagnon said police are unsure of exactly how the monument was defaced, though it looked like eggs had been thrown at it. 

She said remnants of a yellow substance could be found on the monument and eggshells could be seen on the ground.

Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly also tweeted about the incident. 

Incidents such as this are deeply disturbing to many communities especially when they target specific groups. It is completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated. #ottnews #ourOttawa @JewishOttawa https://t.co/RuRfaQgI6E

— Chief Peter Sloly (@OPSChiefSloly) January 30, 2020

The news comes less than a week after the Ottawa Police Service announced plans to re-establishing a centralized hate crime unit, as anti-semitic hate crimes are on the rise in Canada and throughout the world. 

Horrified by the recent defacing of the National Holocaust Monument in #Ottawa and urging @OttawaPolice to conduct a thorough investigation. This is an insult to #Holocaust victims, their families, Holocaust survivors and the Jewish community as a whole.https://t.co/aleug1Pa6I

— FSWC (@CanadianFSWC) January 30, 2020

"It is very disturbing that someone would choose to deface a monument dedicated to the millions of men, women and children who were murdered in the Holocaust, especially in the same week as International Holocaust Remembrance Day during which we pay tribute to victims and vow to never allow such a tragedy to happen again," said Avi Benlolo, president and CEO of the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, in a statement.

"This is an insult to not only Holocaust victims, but also their families, Holocaust survivors and the Jewish community as a whole that to this day continues to be targeted by hate."