Montreal city police (SPVM) launched an investigation on Wednesday into an arson attack that targeted the Congregation Beth Tikvah synagogue and Jewish community center, as well as the offices of Federation CJA, a Jewish philanthropic organization, in the Dollard-des-Ormeaux suburb Tuesday night.
The incident involved an incendiary device that caused minor damage, including broken glass and a damaged front door. Witnesses reported seeing a suspect fleeing the scene. The targeted center houses a synagogue and offers various programs that serve the Jewish community in the Canadian province.
In a statement released on X, formerly Twitter, Federation CJA condemned the attack as outrageous, calling on the city’s mayor Valérie Plante “to crack down immediately on the unacceptable rise in antisemitism in Montreal.” The organization also emphasized its demands stating: “We expect the authorities to treat this incident with the highest level of scrutiny and
consider all likely motives. Enough is enough.”
Section 319 of the Criminal Code of Canada makes it an offence to incite hatred or promote hatred against an identifiable group. Additionally, under Section 434 of the Criminal Code, arson causing damage to property not wholly owned by the accused carries a penalty of up to 14 years in prison.
The incident also drew condemnation from political leaders across Canada, with many expressing shock and concern. Quebec Premier François Legault condemned the attack stating, “[t]his is not the Quebec we want,” while Montreal mayor Valérie Plante emphasized that “[a]ntisemitic acts are criminal acts,” calling on the SPVM to investigate the incident. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the attack as “vile […] cowardly and criminal,” placing trust in the SPVM’s investigation.
The attack comes amid a noted rise in antisemitic incidents in Canada and globally. In October, the Israeli Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism released a comprehensive report highlighting a significant surge in antisemitic incidents in Canada since the October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023. Additionally, B’nai Brith Canada released its Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents in May, reporting a 100 percent increase in such incidents from 2022 to 2023, with 5,791 incidents documented.
