The State of Israel has strongly condemned an arson attack Wednesday on Montreal’s Beth Tikvah synagogue.
Police say a call was made to 911 just before 3 am, warning that a fire had started at a place of worship in the Dollard-des-Ormeaux section of Montreal.
Police (SPVM) extinguished the blaze shortly after their arrival on site, according to spokesperson Veronique Dubuc, who said “at least one incendiary device” was found at the scene.
Witnesses saw at least one suspect who fled before the officers arrived. “The damage is considered minor,” she added. “There was a smashed window and the door was broken. There was also smoke damage inside the building.”
This was the second antisemitic attack on the synagogue in a little over year: Congregation Beth Tikvah was the first synagogue in Montreal to be attacked after the start of the October 7, 2023 war launched against Israel by Gaza’s Hamas terrorist organization.
In addition, officers noticed at around 7:20 am during their rounds nearby that a glass door was smashed on the Jewish Federation (CJA)’s building.
The antisemitic attack is under investigation by the SPVM Arson Unit and additional police officers are patrolling the area as a precaution.
The Jewish Community Council of Montreal warned the attacks were not isolated incidents, describing them as “deeply disturbing and a stark reminder of the persistence of antisemitic hatred.”
Rabbi Saul Emmanuel, JCCM executive director, added in a statement, “This is not an isolated incident — it is a repeated assault on a cornerstone of our community that serves as a hub for education, faith and social services. These repeated attacks are meant to instill fear, but our community remains resolute. We will not be intimidated.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry Gideon Sa’ar slammed the attack.
I strongly condemn the anti-Semitic attack on Montréal’s Beit Tikvah synagogue,” Sa’ar wrote on the X social media platform.
“This surge in antisemitism must not be tolerated! This is the second(!) act of arson on Beit Tikvah – the first synagogue attacked after October 7th. I call on the Canadian authorities to take the strongest possible stance against antisemitism!
I strongly condemn the anti-Semitic attack on Montréal’s Beit Tikvah synagogue. This surge in antisemitism must not be tolerated! This is the second(!) act of arson on Beit Tikvah – the first synagogue attacked after October 7th. I call on the Canadian authorities to take the…
— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) December 18, 2024
Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante said police will find the perpetrators.
“Antisemitic acts are criminal acts. The SPVM is investigating and will find those responsible. It is intolerable that Montreal citizens live in insecurity because of their religion,” she said.
Quebec officials moved quickly to condemn the incident.
“Once again, completely unacceptable actions were taken against the Jewish community in Montreal when buildings were set on fire yesterday,” he wrote. “We are told that the SPVM will increase its visibility in the area to reassure the population. We will let the police conduct the investigation. I repeat, these actions have no place in Quebec,” Public Security Minister Francois Bonnardel wrote in a post on the X social media platform.
Quebec Prime Minister wrote on X, “This isn’t the Quebec we want.”
Ce n'est pas le Québec que l'on veut. https://t.co/ay64i4LWuA
— François Legault (@francoislegault) December 18, 2024
According to data from Montreal police, there have been 237 recorded crimes and hate incidents directed at the city’s Jewish community between October 7, 2023 and Dec. 11, 2024.
