Synagogue on Montreal's West Island targeted by alleged arson attack

A synagogue on Montreal's West Island was the target of an alleged arson attack early Wednesday morning.

Montreal police (SPVM) received a 911 call just before 3 a.m. about the fire on Westpark Street near Roger Pilon Street.

The area comprises the Congregation Beth Tikvah, the Hebrew Foundation School and the Federation CJA's West Island office, which also had a brick thrown through its window.

Police say it's unclear whether the two incidents occured at the same time.

"Firefighters extinguished the blaze," said Véronique Dubuc, a spokesperson with Montreal police. "They found at least one incendiary device."

She says witnesses told police they saw at least one suspect in the area prior to the fire.

"Damage is minor," she notes. "There was a smashed window and a door was broken."

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There were no reported injuries, and there have been no arrests in the case.

Investigators with the Montreal police arson squad are working to determine the circumstances leading up to the fire.

Following the incident, Rabbi Mordecai Zeitz said people were not allowed inside the synagogue for service. 

"We did have a small prayer service outside because we will not be deterred in terms of what we represent," he said.

A man fixes the lock of the doors of Congregation Beth Tikvah, as police investigate alleged arson at the synagogue in the suburb of Dollard-des-Ormeaux in Montreal on Wednesday, Dec.18, 2024. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

Henry Topas, a cantor at the synagogue and B'nai Brith's Quebec regional director, said Beth Tikvah is the oldest congregation on the West Island and "the central point for Jewish life" in the area.

He said he wants authorities to act quickly.

"We would like them to act with teeth. We would like there to be consequences for those who attack the Jewish community or any community. Any action of hate towards any community must be stopped," said Topas.

'Vile antisemitic attack'

Politicians reacted to the incident on social media, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who called it a "vile antisemitic attack against Montreal’s Jewish community," that was "cowardly and criminal."

Quebec Premier François Legault took to X, writing, "This is not the Quebec we want."

Quebec Public Security Minister François Bonnardel added that he was told Montreal police would increase its visibility in the neighbourhood, as "these actions have no place in Quebec."

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante wrote on X, that "It’s intolerable that Montrealers live in insecurity because of their religion."

Not the first time

In November 2023, the same synagogue and CJA building were targeted by alleged arson, causing minor damage to the synagogue's front door and the back door of the CJA office.

No one was injured in the attacks, and Dubuc on Wednesday said police have not made arrests in that case.

B’nai Brith Canada wrote on X, "This repeated targeting of Jewish institutions is a direct result of a permissive environment where antisemitism is allowed to fester unchecked."

The group is calling for "stronger enforcement of hate crime laws" as well as "action to combat antisemitism in education and on university campuses."

-- with files from The Canadian Press.