Montreal Jewish Schools Targeted in Nocturnal Shootings; Community and Leaders Rally in Condemnation
In an unsettling display of intolerance, two Jewish educational institutions in Montreal were the focus of gunfire attacks late Wednesday night. The authorities discovered bullet marks on the doors of these establishments on Thursday morning. This act of violence, carried out in the stillness of the night while the buildings stood empty, fortunately resulted in no casualties.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a stern condemnation, emphasizing the Canadian stance against such anti-Semitic acts. “Let me be crystal clear,” Trudeau stated, “we denounce this anti-Semitic violence in the strongest terms.” This incident occurs amidst what Trudeau describes as a “horrifying” rise in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic sentiments following the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The reports of overnight shootings at Jewish schools in Montreal are horrifying. I condemn these violent acts of antisemitism in the strongest terms possible – and I want to be clear: This hate has no place in Canada, and we must all stand united against it.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 9, 2023
François Legault, the Premier of Quebec, echoed this sentiment with a plea for peace to all residents of the province, sharply criticizing the incident. Additionally, Legault addressed a physical altercation at Concordia University that occurred on Wednesday. Clashes between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine student groups led to three injuries, prompting police intervention.
Je suis très inquiet des coups de feu tirés ce matin sur des écoles de la communauté juive et de la violence qu’on a vue hier à l’Université Concordia. La haine et la violence ne seront jamais tolérées au Québec. Les agresseurs doivent être sanctionnés.
— François Legault (@francoislegault) November 9, 2023
Concordia University noted a “disturbing increase in acts of intimidation” recently, citing occurrences of swastikas and hate speech spread online. In response to escalating tensions, Premier Legault urged law enforcement to seek calm and did not rule out the prohibition of gatherings related to the Israeli-Hamas conflict.
BREAKING:
Terror attack in Montreal, Canada
Unknown assailant fires a gun at 2 Jewish facilities – Yeshiva Gedolah and Talmud Torah Elementary School.
🇨🇦🇮🇱pic.twitter.com/jfxFvwZlyj
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) November 9, 2023
Earlier in the week, Montreal police had launched an investigation into an incident where Molotov cocktails were hurled at a synagogue in the city, marking an increase in hate crimes that have shaken the community.
