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Montreal-area synagogue firebombed for the second time since October 2023

Congregation Beth Tikvah, in the West Island municipality of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, was hit by a firebomb early on Dec. 18, marking the second time this has happened since October 2023.

Police arrived on the scene around 3 a.m., responding to 911 calls, and found the remains of an incendiary device after putting out the fire outdoors with a fire extinguisher.

Arson investigators are at the site, which is also home to a Jewish day school and is nearby satellite offices of Federation CJA, also struck with minor damage.

There was no significant damage to the building apart from a broken door and window and smoke damage, according to Montreal police, who are examining local surveillance cameras. There are no suspects and no arrest have been made.

The synagogue and centre were also targeted by firebombs on Nov. 7, 2023, during the initial wave of antisemitic incidents following the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks against Israel. Back then, when the adjacent community centre was also attacked, Mayor Valérie Plante famously condemned the “violent attack on a mosque” before her statement was corrected. Her office blamed a young, unexperienced staffer who posted on behalf of the mayor.

A swift reaction to a familiar crime

Beth Tikvah Cantor Henry Topas, who is also B’nai Brith Canada’s regional director for Quebec and Atlantic Canada, said in a statement, “It’s a terrifying reminder that Montreal is increasingly unsafe for Jewish people.” He called it the result of the failure of leaders at all levels to hold accountable “those responsible for the hate and violence that is infesting Canadian society. Specifically, Mayor Valerie Plante must act now to stop the exponential rise in hate and antisemitism which she has permitted to get out of control in Montreal.”

The attack, the B’nai Brith statement adds, is just the latest in a series of incidents targeting Jewish institutions across the country, “including an attempted arson in Vancouver.” In May, a fire was intentionally set on the steps of Congregation Schara Tzedeck in Vancouver while worshippers were inside.

On Wednesday morning, the Jewish Community Council of Montreal expressed grave concern and outrage. “This second attack on the same location is deeply disturbing and a stark reminder of the persistence of antisemitic hatred,” said executive director Rabbi Saul Emanuel. “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. Such acts of violence cannot be ignored or minimized.” Emphasizing the need for enhanced security measures at Jewish institutions to ensure the community’s safety, Rabbi Emanuel said, “These repeated attacks are meant to instill fear, but our community remains resolute. We will not be intimidated.”

West Island resident Lissa Albert woke up to the news, telling The CJN, “We’ve seen this happen before,” enumerating the attacks over the last year. In April 2023, Israeli flags outside the Hebrew Foundation School were set on fire, the perpetrators filming themselves and posting it on social media.

She walked up to the synagogue on the morning she heard the news. “It felt like going to visit a shivah, to be with family. Yes, I’m sad. Yes, it’s emotional. But I’m also angry and determined. These attacks always include the school or community centre, so it’s coordinated, and they know exactly what they’re hitting—they’re trying to terrorize us because they want us to cower in fear. But they will fail, because all they’re doing is strengthening our resolve.”

Mount-Royal MP Anthony Housefather grew up in that neighbourhood and had his bar mitzvah at Beth Tikvah. “This is the second time that someone has attempted to firebomb it,” he told The CJN. “I expect the police to make every effort to quickly arrest anyone responsible and for all leaders to denounce this deplorable attack.”

Quebec Security Minister François Bonnardel posted on social media, “Once again, completely unacceptable actions have been taken against the Jewish community in Montreal as buildings were set on fire yesterday.”

Israel’s Consul-General Paul Hirschson posted that he was “saddened to wake in the early hours to learn antisemitism continues unabated in Montréal. Encouraged by Premier Legault’s and others’ condemnation. Montreal Jewry, 100,000 strong, is proud of its contribution to building this city.”

Just a year ago, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre stood at the site of Wednesday’s attack to light a menorah in solidarity with Montreal’s Jewish community. On Wednesday morning, Senator Leo Housakos posted, “Political leaders who have turned their backs on Jewish Canadians fail not just a community but the values they claim to uphold. Empty words won’t protect against antisemitism—action will. It’s time to stand up, or step aside.”

Albert agreed and said, “Do I hold Justin Trudeau partly responsible? Well yes, I do. There’s very little control or action other than the symbolic naming of emissaries and advisors on antisemitism, two of them who can’t get the job done.”

Federation CJA put out a statement late Wednesday morning saying the community “is again outraged and demanding justice and swift action after yet other cowardly acts of intimidation” noting there is damage to the exterior and interior of the buildings, but protective measures implemented by Federation CJA’s Community Security Network have ensured the damage was minimal.

“This is another cowardly act in the middle of the night to intimidate and harass the Jewish community,” said president and CEO Yair Szlak. “In the last 14 months, this is the SEVENTH instance where a Jewish institution has been targeted in Montreal and the SECOND time these institutions are targeted.

“Let’s not mince words: this is a stark reminder 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 act immediately to crack down on the unacceptable rise in antisemitism in Montreal. Our community is outraged and so should all Quebec citizens. We expect the authorities to treat this incident with the highest level of care and consider all likely motives. Enough is enough.”

Dollard-des-Ormeaux mayor Alex Bottausci did just that early Wednesday, stating “this cowardly act of antisemitism will not be tolerated. The safety of our residents is our top priority and any threat to stability and peace will be dealt with immediately.”

He acknowledged it is a mayor’s duty to ensure security of all residents, pledging to “all the members of the Jewish community feeling threatened by this heinous act, I want to assure you that an investigation is currently underway and that our city is invested in the safety of our community and is working closely with the SPVM and our municipal patrol to ensure your security.”

Federation’s Community Security Network is on site and coordinating with the SPVM, who will increase their presence and visibility around Jewish institutions in the coming days. Federation CJA says there is no indication of a specific threat to the community at this time.

Rabbi emeritus Mordecai Zeitz in front of Congregation Beth Tikvah, damaged by a firebomb, Dec. 18, 2024.

Israel’s Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar posted on social media: “I strongly condemn the antisemitic attack on Montréal’s Beit Tikvah synagogue. This surge in antisemitism must not be tolerated! This is the second(!) act of arson on Beit Tikvah – the first synagogue attacked after October 7th. I call on the Canadian authorities to take the strongest possible stance against antisemitism!”

Others took issue with the lack of any comment by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or Pierrefonds-Dollard MP Sameer Zuberi by press time, some eight hours after the attack.

Zuberi did send a tweet at 12:05 p.m.: “Places of worship are sanctuaries. Yet, for the second time, a synagogue in Dollard has been targeted by arson. Antisemitism has no place in our community. Police must act to bring those responsible to justice. None should live in fear because of their faith.”

Past-president of the synagogue Jamie Goren laid part of the blame at the feet of his MP who was involved in the anti-Israel movement at Concordia University in the past, including the 2002 riot that blocked then-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from speaking at Concordia. Zuberi has been “just sitting on his hands and ignoring his own constituents’ sense of insecurity and fear. It’s the result of a slow and steady erosion of Canadian values.”

Another resident who lives walking distance from the local Jewish community campus told The CJN, “Life in the West Island is becoming more complicated. There is no other motive than to terrorize and make Jews uncomfortable. Kids go to school there. Where is the local MP?”

The post Montreal-area synagogue firebombed for the second time since October 2023 appeared first on The Canadian Jewish News.

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After False Dawns, Gazans Hope Trump Will Force End to Two-Year-Old War

Palestinians walk past a residential building destroyed in previous Israeli strikes, after Hamas agreed to release hostages and accept some other terms in a US plan to end the war, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa

Exhausted Palestinians in Gaza clung to hopes on Saturday that US President Donald Trump would keep up pressure on Israel to end a two-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced the entire population of more than two million.

Hamas’ declaration that it was ready to hand over hostages and accept some terms of Trump’s plan to end the conflict while calling for more talks on several key issues was greeted with relief in the enclave, where most homes are now in ruins.

“It’s happy news, it saves those who are still alive,” said 32-year-old Saoud Qarneyta, reacting to Hamas’ response and Trump’s intervention. “This is enough. Houses have been damaged, everything has been damaged, what is left? Nothing.”

GAZAN RESIDENT HOPES ‘WE WILL BE DONE WITH WARS’

Ismail Zayda, 40, a father of three, displaced from a suburb in northern Gaza City where Israel launched a full-scale ground operation last month, said: “We want President Trump to keep pushing for an end to the war, if this chance is lost, it means that Gaza City will be destroyed by Israel and we might not survive.

“Enough, two years of bombardment, death and starvation. Enough,” he told Reuters on a social media chat.

“God willing this will be the last war. We will hopefully be done with the wars,” said 59-year-old Ali Ahmad, speaking in one of the tented camps where most Palestinians now live.

“We urge all sides not to backtrack. Every day of delay costs lives in Gaza, it is not just time wasted, lives get wasted too,” said Tamer Al-Burai, a Gaza City businessman displaced with members of his family in central Gaza Strip.

After two previous ceasefires — one near the start of the war and another earlier this year — lasted only a few weeks, he said; “I am very optimistic this time, maybe Trump’s seeking to be remembered as a man of peace, will bring us real peace this time.”

RESIDENT WORRIES THAT NETANYAHU WILL ‘SABOTAGE’ DEAL

Some voiced hopes of returning to their homes, but the Israeli military issued a fresh warning to Gazans on Saturday to stay out of Gaza City, describing it as a “dangerous combat zone.”

Gazans have faced previous false dawns during the past two years, when Trump and others declared at several points during on-off negotiations between Hamas, Israel and Arab and US mediators that a deal was close, only for war to rage on.

“Will it happen? Can we trust Trump? Maybe we trust Trump, but will Netanyahu abide this time? He has always sabotaged everything and continued the war. I hope he ends it now,” said Aya, 31, who was displaced with her family to Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.

She added: “Maybe there is a chance the war ends at October 7, two years after it began.”

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Mass Rally in Rome on Fourth Day of Italy’s Pro-Palestinian Protests

A Pro-Palestinian demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during a national protest for Gaza in Rome, Italy, October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Claudia Greco

Large crowds assembled in central Rome on Saturday for the fourth straight day of protests in Italy since Israel intercepted an international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza, and detained its activists.

People holding banners and Palestinian flags, chanting “Free Palestine” and other slogans, filed past the Colosseum, taking part in a march that organizers hoped would attract at least 1 million people.

“I’m here with a lot of other friends because I think it is important for us all to mobilize individually,” Francesco Galtieri, a 65-year-old musician from Rome, said. “If we don’t all mobilize, then nothing will change.”

Since Israel started blocking the flotilla late on Wednesday, protests have sprung up across Europe and in other parts of the world, but in Italy they have been a daily occurrence, in multiple cities.

On Friday, unions called a general strike in support of the flotilla, with demonstrations across the country that attracted more than 2 million, according to organizers. The interior ministry estimated attendance at around 400,000.

Italy’s right-wing government has been critical of the protests, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suggesting that people would skip work for Gaza just as an excuse for a longer weekend break.

On Saturday, Meloni blamed protesters for insulting graffiti that appeared on a statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside Rome’s main train station, where Pro-Palestinian groups have been holding a protest picket.

“They say they are taking to the streets for peace, but then they insult the memory of a man who was a true defender and builder of peace. A shameful act committed by people blinded by ideology,” she said in a statement.

Israel launched its Gaza offensive after Hamas terrorists staged a cross border attack on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 people hostage.

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Hamas Says It Agrees to Release All Israeli Hostages Under Trump Gaza Plan

Smoke rises during an Israeli military operation in Gaza City, as seen from the central Gaza Strip, October 2, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas

Hamas said on Friday it had agreed to release all Israeli hostages, alive or dead, under the terms of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza proposal, and signaled readiness to immediately enter mediated negotiations to discuss the details.

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