Two Jewish schools were targeted by gunfire last night in Montreal amid growing tensions linked to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The two establishments are located in the Côte-Des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-De-Grâce and Outremont borough. These are the Azrieli Talmud Torah and Yeshiva Gedola schools.
Bullet holes and a shell casing were found at the first location around 8:20 a.m., while only a bullet hole was found at the other facility, around 8:50 a.m.
It was school employees who noticed the damage to the buildings when they arrived at work Thursday morning, specifies the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM).
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
Bullet holes and a shell casing were found at Azrieli Talmud Torah School.
In both cases, the SPVM established security perimeters and dispatched investigators and forensic identification technicians to the scene to clarify the circumstances of the events. An investigation has been opened and images from surveillance cameras will be viewed, specifies the SPVM.
Federation CJA, which represents the Jewish community, responded by explaining that the two establishments targeted are “secure”, and that the students and staff are “all safe”.
“We have requested an increased police presence around all Jewish institutions,” she added in a message posted on the social network X, specifying that she had communicated with the Ministry of Public Security and the police.
“We understand that this adds stress and anxiety to members of our community. We invite you to continue to participate in Jewish life while remaining extremely vigilant,” continues Federation CJA.
More details to come.