Toronto (December 18, 2024) – Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is deeply disturbed by this morning’s latest firebombing of Beth Tikvah Synagogue in a Montreal suburb, which is also the site of a Jewish school and community centre.

Police reported receiving a 911 call shortly before 3 a.m. about a fire at the synagogue, located near the intersection of Westpark and Roger-Pilon streets in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, a predominantly English-speaking community. An incendiary device was discovered at the scene and witnesses told police they saw a suspect fleeing the area. The building suffered physical damage, including broken glass and smoke damage, but there were no reported injuries.

This is the second such attack on Beth Tikvah in just over a year. Last November, Molotov cocktails were thrown at the synagogue and a second small fire ignited at the back door of the Federation CJA building across the street from the synagogue. Montreal police never reported making an arrest in connection to that incident.

“We are deeply troubled by the recent arson attack on Montreal’s Congregation Beth Tikvah, the second such incident in 13 months. This vile act of violence, occurring so close to Hanukkah, is a direct assault on the Jewish community as well as a stark reminder of the alarming rise in antisemitism and hate crimes targeting Jews across Canada,” said Michael Levitt, President and CEO of FSWC. “Such attacks cannot be ignored or dismissed as isolated incidents, nor can we allow these attacks to become the new normal. We call on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, hold the perpetrators accountable, and take immediate action to address the growing threats faced by Jewish institutions and individuals. The safety and security of Jewish communities must be a national priority.”

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