Suspected arson at Montreal synagogue sparks condemnation
Canadian police announced that an act of arson caused minor damage to a synagogue in Montreal. An investigation is underway, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the incident as a “heinous antisemitic attack.”
A fire was reported around 3:00 a.m. local time, with police discovering an “incendiary device” near the site.
“The damage is minor, involving broken windows and smoke damage,” said Véronique Dubuc, spokesperson for the Montreal Police Service. She confirmed that no injuries occurred.
Witnesses reported seeing a “suspicious man” leaving the area quickly after the fire started on December 18. Another nearby building belonging to a Jewish community federation also suffered damage.
Seventh Jewish Institution Targeted Since October
While the investigation is still in its early stages, police have not yet identified the motive for the attack.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) expressed outrage over the incident, calling it a “cowardly act” of “intimidation and harassment” on the social media platform X. The organization demanded “swift justice and action” from authorities.
CIJA highlighted that this marks the seventh attack on a Jewish institution in Montreal—and the second targeting this particular synagogue—since October 7, 2023, when the Israel-Hamas war began after the Hamas attack on Israel.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the incident on X, calling it a “heinous antisemitic attack” and a “hateful act.”
“This is not the Quebec we want,” stated Quebec Premier François Legault in a separate post.
