An advocacy group says the number of reported anti-Semitic incidents has more than tripled this July compared to the same month last year, and blames mounting tensions in the Middle East for the rise.

B'nai Brith Canada has issued a security alert to the Jewish community, directly linking a rise in anti-Semitism to fighting between the Lebanese-based militant group Hezbollah and the Israeli army.

The group says more than 150 anti-Semitic incidents have been reported across the country this month, more than triple the 50 incidents reported in July 2005.

That number is expected to be even higher when the final figures for the month are tallied later this year.

Regional offices across the country have received a steady stream of calls and e-mails about threats and attacks in recent weeks. Earlier this week, the Toronto office itself received a threat.

Officials cite several incidents over the past few weeks, including a bomb threat at a synagogue, the stoning of worshippers emerging from evening prayer, and a Jewish family being sent a decapitated pig.

The events in the Middle East are serving as triggers for the attacks for people who already hold negative opinions about the community, the group said.

"People who cannot really strike back at Israel will just look for a Jew. It doesn't matter if they know the person or if they know their opinion about what going on," said Ruth Klein, a director of the group's league for human rights.

Group questions claim of rising anti-Semitism

However, not all Canadian Jews have expressed support for Israel's actions in Lebanon.

"The Jewish community is not monolithic and it's dangerous for the security of Jews to give the impression that it is," said Bruce Katz, co-founder of Palestinian and Jewish Unity.

Katz is skeptical that anti-Semitism is on the rise, saying comments against the actions of Israel could be interpreted as anti-Semitic.

"If you criticize the state of Israel, you will be referred to as being anti-Semitic," said Katz.

He added that the claim of a rise in anti-Semitic actions is being used to limit debate on the conflict.

B'nai Brith Canada refuted that claim, saying threatening calls and e-mails are not part of the political discourse.