Fire at synagogue in Montreal’s West Island under investigation

Montreal police’s arson unit is investigating a fire at the Congregation Beth Tikvah, a synagogue located in the West Island, and the incident has drawn condemnation from Jewish community groups and elected officials.

According to police, a 911 call was placed just before 3 a.m. on Wednesday about a fire that had just started at a place of worship near the corner of Westpark and Roger-Pilon streets in Dollard-des-Ormeaux.

The fire was minor and police officers put it out with a fire extinguisher shortly after arriving at the scene.

Police say one incendiary device was found at the scene and witnesses have told them they saw a suspect fleeing the scene. The damages at the synagogue — which also serves as a community centre — were minor. Police say there was some broken glass and some damage to the front door. 

A window at the Federation CJA, a Jewish advocacy group located across the street from the synagogue, was also broken.

Police set up a security perimeter and officers were sent to the area to patrol. 

It is the latest in a growing list of violent incidents involving Jewish people and institutions in Montreal. It also mirrors what happened last year at the same two locations.

In November 2023, Montreal police’s arson team was also deployed to that intersection. Remnants of molotov cocktails were found at the synagogue and a second small fire ignited at the back door of the Federation CJA building on Roger-across the street from the synagogue.

That same week, a Jewish school in the city was shot at twice in four days.

‘This is not an isolated incident,’ Jewish group says

In a statement, the Jewish Community Council of Montreal condemned the latest incident and described it as “deeply disturbing and a stark reminder of the persistence of anti-Semitic hatred.”

“This is not an isolated incident — it is a repeated assault on a cornerstone of our community that serves as a hub for education, faith and social services,” said Rabbi Saul Emmanuel, the council’s executive director.

“These repeated attacks are meant to instill fear, but our community remains resolute. We will not be intimidated.”

In the wake of Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the retaliatory bombing offensive in Gaza that ensued, the number of hate crimes and incidents targeting the Jewish community increased significantly, according to the Service de police de la Villle de Montréal (SPVM). 

In October, the SPVM said it had recorded 213 hates crimes and incidents. These include crimes against a person, such as assault, as well as crimes against property.

CBC News is reaching out to the SPVM for updated numbers.

In a post on X, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said “antisemitic actions are criminal actions.”

“The SPVM will investigate and will find those responsible. It is not acceptable that Montrealers live feeling unsafe because of their religion.”

Quebec Premier François also took to X to say “this is not the Quebec we want,” in response to a post from François Bonnardel, the province’s public security minster, who also condemned the incident.

Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, described what happened as “another brazen act of semitic hate and violence.”