A synagogue targeted by an incendiary object in Dollard-des-Ormeaux

A synagogue was the target of an incendiary object in the Dollard-des-Ormeaux district of Montreal.

A call was made to 911 shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday morning, referring to the address of Congregation Beth Tikvah, on Westpark Street, in Dollard-des-Ormeaux.

When police arrived on the scene, they put out the fire using a fire extinguisher. Minor damage was noted, including broken glass and a smashed front door. The smoke also caused minor damage to the interior of the building.

There would be no injuries.

Witnesses say they saw a suspect quickly leave the scene. No person has been arrested at this time.

A security perimeter was installed by the SPVMwith the arson division team present on scene. Personnel have also been deployed in the area to ensure a police presence.

A broken window was also noted in a neighboring building. However, no object was found to explain this breakage.

Congregation Beth Tikvah is located right next to the Hebrew Training School and Federation CJA West Suburbs.

Last year, two firebombs caused minor damage to the front door of the Congregation Beth Tikvah synagogue and the back door of Federation CJA.

“Completely unacceptable gestures,” Bonnardel is indignant

On social networks, the political class reacted to the events during the morning of Wednesday.

The mayor of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Alex Bottausci, said he unworthy facing another attack on the Beth Tikvah synagogue.

I would like to make it clear that this cowardly and anti-Semitic act will not be tolerated. The safety of our residents is our top priority and any threats to stability and peace will be addressed immediately.

Alex Bottausci wanted to reassure members of the Jewish community by telling them that an investigation is underway and that his city works in close collaboration with the SPVM.

The provincial Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel, denounced on completely unacceptable actions against the Jewish community while buildings were set on fire.

We are told that the SPVM will increase its visibility in the neighborhood to reassure the population. […] I repeat, these actions have no place in Quebec.

A publication which was republished by Prime Minister François Legault.

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D’Arcy-McGee provincial MP Elisabeth Prass also denounces a totally unacceptable act of anti-Semitism.

We demand justiceshe indicated on the social network

Jewish community wants “swift action”

For its part, the Advisory Center for Jewish and Israeli Relations (CIJA) requests justice and swift action after other cowardly acts of intimidation.

He claims that incendiary devices were thrown at the Beth Tikvah synagogue and the West Island CJA Federation building.

Yair Szlak, president and CEO of the organization, estimates that in the last 14 months, this is the seventh time that a Jewish institution has been targeted in Montreal.

This is a stark reminder of what happens when politicians fail to speak out against anti-Semitism and prevent the escalation of violence in our streetshe judges.

Our community is outraged and all citizens of Quebec should be too.

Comments which echo those of the Council of the Jewish Community of Montreal, which expressed its worry and his indignation.

The Canadian Muslim Forum also condemned the attack and expressed its deep concerns.

The Forum is monitoring the situation and awaiting the results of the investigation SPVM. In the meantime, we strongly condemn all forms of hate incidents and crimes, including anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and other expressions of hatred.

Montreal police say hate crimes have increased since the events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack in southern Israel.

Based on preliminary data and subject to change provided by the SPVM237 hate crimes (against the person or property) and hate incidents would have targeted the Jewish community from October 7, 2023 to December 11, 2024. In addition, 81 would have been perpetrated against the Arab-Muslim community during this period.

An adaptation in Arabic (New window) of this news is available on the website of RCI (New window).