After a synagogue and a Jewish community organization in Dollard-des-Ormeaux were the target of acts of vandalism on the night of Monday to Tuesday, Federation CJA is concerned about the rise in anti-Semitism and asks the community and politicians to denounce these acts of violence.
When Yair Szlak learned that a Molotov cocktail had been thrown at the front door of the Beth Tikvah synagogue in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, his first reaction was one of relief. “I took a deep breath and thought, thank God, there was no one in the building. There is a school attached to the synagogue and right next to it, there is the community center which was also targeted. Can you imagine if the children had been at school when those Molotov cocktails were thrown? »
But relief quickly gave way to anger, frustration and incomprehension. “How is it possible for such a thing to happen?” » asks the president of Federation CJA.
In recent years, he has noted a rise in anti-Semitism and hate crimes. But since October 7, stress and anxiety have increased a notch, he explained at a press conference on Tuesday. Recently, large sums of money have been spent to hire private security guards “to make children feel safe going to school and Jews feel safe going to synagogue.”
He claims to have very good relations with the Montreal Police Service (SPVM), which has provided a reassuring presence to Jewish establishments since October 7. The SPVM is also investigating the latest acts of vandalism at the Dollard-des-Ormeaux synagogue, which caused minor damage, but which seriously shook the community. “The investigation is ongoing,” said agent Sabrina Gauthier on Tuesday. For the moment, we have no suspects and no arrests. »
Federation CJA and the Advisory Center for Jewish and Israeli Relations (CIJA) ask the public not to let these acts of vandalism go unnoticed.
“We appeal to our political leaders, we appeal to our fellow Quebecers: these are not our Quebec values,” argued the vice-president of the CIJA, Eta Yudin. “This worrying rise of hatred in our streets, this hateful speech against the Jewish community and now these incidents against a synagogue and a Jewish community center in Montreal. We call on our fellow citizens to stand up and lead with us the fight against anti-Semitism and hatred. »
In particular, it calls for the establishment of a national security council, better communication of statistics on hate crimes and an education campaign on online hatred.
Tuesday noon, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned these actions on X. “Anti-Semitism is unacceptable and must be condemned — and this government will continue to fight this hatred with Jewish communities. »