Montreal police are investigating an attack on a Jewish center
Hate crimes continue to occur in Quebec.
On Monday, November 27, shortly after midnight, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the door of the Jewish Community Council of Montreal by unknown assailants.This happened hours after two members of parliament attended a meeting inside the building.
The incident was reported on social media by representatives of the Jewish Community Council of Montreal. They wrote that the building in question was in the Côte de Neige neighborhood. Rabbi and executive director of the council Saul Emanuel said no one was hurt and the damage caused by the Molotov cocktail was ultimately minimal. That said, he found the trend frightening:
"The rise in antisemitism in our city is frightening, and the repeated violence and attacks on our community are abhorrent and condemned in the strongest terms."
The arson attack on a Jewish center is one of many hate-motivated incidents in Montreal. Since the day the Arab-Israeli conflict escalated on Oct. 7, the number of such crimes has risen sharply, as reported by city police. Toronto law enforcement agencies are reporting a similar problem in Toronto.
The deputies who visited the Montreal Jewish Council of Montreal shortly before the attack were Liberal Party members Anthony Housefather and Rachel Bendayan. They were just discussing with the council a federal program, funding and support for communities at risk of hate crimes.
Montreal police are investigating the attack. Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante promised that the authorities would do their best to find the perpetrators and reiterated her support for the Jewish community. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also condemned the arson and called on Canadians to "stand united against such vile, hateful acts."
