Montreal police investigating after Jewish community centre hit by Molotov cocktail

Police are investigating after a Molotov cocktail was thrown at a Jewish community centre in Montreal'sCte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grce boroughearly Monday morning.

Montreal police spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabantsays a 911 came in around 1 a.m. for an incendiary device thrown through the frontdoor window of a building on Dcarie Boulevard, nearVzina Street.

Rabbi Saul Emanuel, executive director for the Jewish Community Council of Montreal (JCC), says there was damage to one of the entrances of the building, but no one was injured.

"It did make it through the door, but other than that there was no further damage except for charred floors, walls and the glass panel of the front door was blown out," he told CBC.

"We really feel attacked,'' he said, but added that the community wouldn't be intimidated.

The Service de police de la Ville de Montral (SPVM)'s arson squad is leading the investigation. The hate crimes unit has been advised of the case, although it is not yet actively involved in the investigation.

Police say they will be reviewing CCTV footage from the area.

WATCH| Jewish leaders react to the firebombing:

Hear Jewish leaders' reactions after another attack on Montreal Jewish institution

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Hours after a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the offices of Montreal's Jewish Community Council, the facility's executive director said his community should not feel "terrorized."

Emanuel says the attack came just hours after some 60 people from the Jewish community gathered in the building to discuss usinga federal program to pay for improved security at their schools and organizations.

Local members of Parliament, like Liberal Anthony Housefatherwere in attendance.

"I was afraid," said Housefather, whorepresents the federal riding ofMount Royal.

"Ithink Jewish community membersacrossCanada are afraid of the number of times that buildings that we occupy are being targeted."

Rachel Bendayan, another Liberal MP, was also present."The fear is real and we will be there to support the security of the community," she said.

Previous incidents in the city include firebombings that caused minor damage at a synagogue and a Jewish organization, as well as gunshots hitting two Jewish school buildings.

Montreal Mayor Valrie Plante promised on Monday that police were working hard to track down the culprits, and reiterated her support for a Jewish community that is "once again plunged into worry."

"Montreal is a city of peace and inclusion," she wrote on the platformX, formerly Twitter. "It must remain so and we'll make sure of it."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also condemned the attack on X, formerly Twitter, calling antisemitic violence "deplorable and unacceptable."

BothEmanuel and Housefatherare encouraging police to do more and be given more resourcesto ensure the protection of Jewish institutions.

Marvin Rotrand, the national director of B'nai BrithCanada, echoed the message.

"The Jewish community is grateful that the police department has increased visibility and that patrols have been augmented, but that's not the solution. We need a major increase in the resources going to the police hate squad unit," saidRotrand.

Graffiti at Jewish school

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, the SPVM confirmed today that the hate crime unit is investigating graffiti written outside cole Mamonide, a Jewish school in the Saint-Laurent borough.

Police were called to investigate the scene on Saturday.

According to data provided by the SPVM, Jewish and Muslim Montrealers have been the target of 142 hate crimes and hate incidents 107 targeting the Jewish community and 35 targeting the Muslim community between Oct. 7 and Nov. 21.

In contrast, there were a total of 72 hate crimes for all of 2022.

WATCH | SPVM Chief Fady Dagher reports to city council on simmering tensions:

Montreal police chief says he's 'never felt so much' stress in Jewish, Muslim communities

9 months ago

Duration 1:30

In an address to Montreal city council, Chief Fady Dagher said he sent a message to local media in both the Jewish and Arab Muslim communities in the city, telling people not to change their habits and assuring them the police service is there for them.

Montreal police chief Fady Dagher told city council the SPVM has been in close communication with both Jewish and muslim communities since Oct. 7 to try and bring down tensions.

"I've never felt so much nervousness and stress in these communities," said Dagher, speaking of people he says he has known for decades.

Some are attending their houses of worship less often and hiding their religious symbols out of fear, a change in behaviour he said makes him "extremely worried."

Despite these anxieties, Dagher is advising members of both communities to continue living their lives and be themselves without changing who they are.

Daghersaid the city has "zero-tolerance" when it comes to hate and hopes the temporary truce between Israel and Hamas will continue and allow tensions to simmer down.