Beth Tikvah synagogue targeted by alleged arson in Montreal: police

Congregation Beth Tikvah synagogue was targeted by a possible arson attack overnight Wednesday on Montreal’s West Island – just one week before the start of Hanukkah. 

This is the second time in just over a year that the same synagogue was targeted.

“As this goes on, it is an attack not only on the Jewish community, but an attack on the fabric of Canadian society at large. And it shouldn’t be tolerated,” said Henry Topas, cantor for the Congregation Beth Tikvah.

Montreal police (SPVM) received a call to 911 around 3 a.m. about a fire on Westpark Street near Roger Pilon Street in Dollard-des-Ormeaux (DDO).

“When officers arrived at the scene, they quickly extinguished the flames and brought the fire under control,” said SPVM spokesperson Véronique Dubuc. “They found at least one incendiary device.”

She said witnesses saw at least one suspect who left the area before 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.

“If anyone has other information concerning this event, they can share it with us by calling 911 or go to their police station.”

There were no reported injuries, and no arrests have been made.

In a joint statement, Federation CJA and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) said the alleged arson attack was “intended to intimidate and harass the Jewish community.”

“It is a community institution,” said Henry Lovgren, CIJA’s associate director of communications and marketing for Quebec. “It serves people from toddlers to the elderly. It is a place where people get together. They celebrate holidays. They do arts and crafts. And there is simply no justifiable reason why a building like this, which is full of such light and positivity, would be targeted.”

Located just behind the synagogue that was targeted is the Hebrew Foundation school, and that has at least one parent worried.

“What’s stopping an attacker from attacking the school?” Allan Bloom asked. “Police can’t be here 24/7. Security can’t be here 24/7. So I’m very, very concerned that the whole situation is happening.”

SPVM crime scene investigators and members from the SPVM arson squad were analyzing the scene. Additional police officers were also patrolling the area as a precautionary measure.

The motive for the fire remains unknown. “We don’t know if it’s a hate crime or something else,” said Dubuc.

While officers were doing verifications, they noticed that a door was broken on the Federation CJA’s building nearby at around 7:20 a.m.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said the SPVM will find whoever is behind the alleged attack.

“Anti-Semitic acts are criminal acts. The SPVM is investigating and will find the culprits. It is intolerable that Montreal citizens live in insecurity because of their religion,” Plante said.

Montreal police say there have been 237 recorded crimes and hate incidents directed at the city’s Jewish community and 81 towards the Arab-Muslim community – between the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, 2023, and Dec. 11, 2024.

Federation CJA says since the start of the war, seven Jewish institutions have been targeted in Montreal, calling them “chilling reminders of what happens when politicians fail to call out antisemitism and prevent the escalation of violence on our streets.”

“We call on Mayor Plante to crack down immediately on the unacceptable rise in antisemitism in Montreal,” said Yair Szlak, the president and CEO of Federation CJA. “Our community is outraged, but we are also determined in our demand for action. We know that the silent, moderate majority in Quebec is disgusted by the extremism and violence targeting our community and threatening our society. We expect the authorities to treat this incident with the highest level of scrutiny and consider all likely motives.

“Enough is enough.”

On X, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said “the heinous anti-Semitic attack that targeted Montreal’s Jewish community is cowardly and criminal. The @SPVM is investigating — and I am confident that the perpetrators of this heinous act will be swiftly brought to justice.”

Also on X, Quebec’s Public Security François Bonnardel denounced the alleged hate crime.

“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.”

Premier François Legault added that “This is not the Quebec we want.”

The Canadian Muslim Forum (CMF) says it “strongly condemns all forms of hateful incidents and crimes, including antisemitism, Islamophobia, and any other expression of hate.”

“For years, the FMC-CMF has raised alarm about the dangerous consequences of divisive rhetoric spread through social media, by certain politicians, media outlets, and other public figures,” the group said in a satetement. “Such rhetoric fosters tensions that harm our shared values of peace, unity, and coexistence.

“Montreal is a city built on diversity, peace, and harmony, and it is the responsibility of all of us to protect and uphold these values for the benefit of everyone.”

The group’s president, Samer Majzoub, told CityNews they “have been calling for years and years, and we’re repeating again and again and repeatedly that hate is not a solution.”

Topas says the community will not be deterred.

“I would bet that, except for those who may have gone away for holidays this period of the year, the synagogue will be packed this Saturday,” he said.