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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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Marco Rubio Says US Denying Visas to Foreigners ‘Celebrating’ Assassination of Charlie Kirk

Marco Rubio speaks after he is sworn in as Secretary of State by US Vice President JD Vance at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC, Jan. 21, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that the US is denying visas to foreigners who publicly celebrate the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a move he cast as part of a broader posture against extremist rhetoric.

While traveling in the Middle East, Rubio told reporters that the State Department has been denying visas to individuals glorifying Kirk’s murder online. He added that officials are also reviewing existing visas and that he expects some to be revoked.

“It isn’t just about Charlie Kirk. If you’re a foreigner and you’re out there celebrating the assassination of someone who was speaking somewhere, I mean, we don’t want you in the country,” Rubio said. “Why would we want to give a visa to someone who think it’s good that someone was murdered in the public square? That’s just common sense to me.”

When asked if the US has actually revoked any visas yet, Rubio responded, “We’ve revoked visas of people. I don’t know if we’ve revoked visas of people that are inside the country. We’ve most certainly been denying visas.”

Rubio also addressed the issue in a social media post on X while sharing a video from a Fox News interview during which he was asked if he planned to restrict visa access or revoke visas for those celebrating Kirk’s killing.

“America will not host foreigners who celebrate the death of our fellow citizens,” Rubio said in the post accompanying the video. “Visa revocations are under way. If you are here on a visa and cheering on the public assassination of a political figure, prepare to be deported. You are not welcome in this country.”

Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and founder of the influential Turning Point USA organization, was shot and killed last week while speaking at Utah Valley University. Authorities have formally charged 22‑year‑old Tyler Robinson of Utah with aggravated murder and several related offenses, including discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering.

Rubio’s announcement comes amid intensifying efforts by the Trump administration to expel foreigners who express support for violence or terrorism. The administration has launched an overhaul of the US visa system, part of what officials describe as an effort to root out individuals deemed a potential threat to the country. The sweeping measures include expanded social media vetting for new applicants, continuous monitoring of the 55 million current visa holders, and the revocation of thousands of student visas.

Several of the online posts praising Kirk’s assassination have emerged from the Middle East, with individuals condemning the slain political activist over his vocal support for Israel. During his life, Kirk repeatedly spoke in defense of the Jewish state and expressed support for its military campaign in Gaza.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau concurred with Rubio’s statement, calling on consular officials to prevent the distribution of visas to anyone “praising, rationalizing, or making light of” the murder of Kirk.

Rubio has not explained the standards the State Department is using to determine what qualifies as “celebrating” the assassination. Some critics have speculated that this ambiguity could set up legal challenges from advocacy groups, who are already warning about the First Amendment and due process implications.

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‘Down With Fascists’: Columbia Activist Who Said ‘Zionists Don’t Deserve to Live’ Celebrates Charlie Kirk’s Murder

Khymani James, Columbia University student who filmed himself saying Zionists should be murdered. Photo: Screenshot

A former leader of the anti-Israel movement at Columbia University expressed full support for the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last week.

Khymani James, who made the posts, was a “campus a leader in the pro-Palestinian student protest encampment” at Columbia, according to The New York Times.

In the aftermath of Kirk’s assassination, James posted on X, “More. MORE!!!,” referencing the killing. He followed up that post by saying, “Down with all the fascists 😍.” (He later also called California Gov. Gavin Newsom a fascist.)

In another post, James wrote, “‘Be careful what you post’ and it’s people rightfully celebrating the inevitable and just fate of fascists. anywho… NO ONE MOURNS THE WICKED 😩🤣.”

In addition to the posts he wrote, James also reposted statements such as “Thoughts and prayers for the bullet,” “rest in piss,” and “saw that s–t and started giggling and kicking my feet and shouting YOOOOOO.”

In James’s biography on the social platform X, he notes, “Anything I said, I meant it. DEATH TO EMPIRE.”

This is not the first time James has rhetorically supported violence. Last year, he was on video saying, “Zionists don’t deserve to live,” and proclaiming that people should “be grateful that I’m not just going out and murdering Zionists.”

He also said, “I don’t fight to injure or for there to be a winner or a loser. I fight to kill.”

The comments triggered widespread backlash, and James was suspended by Columbia. The incident also resulted in what was widely seen as an apology for James on behalf of Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), one of the most notorious anti-Israel campus groups in the US. Months later, however, the group retracted its previous apology.

“All CUAD organizers were complicit in not maintaining our political line, keeping the statement public on our Instagram, and in neglecting the mental and physical safety of Khymani,” the post read. CUAD apologized for causing “irrevocable harm” to him.

Despite James’s comments about the possibility of murdering Zionists, CUAD’s post claimed that he was criticized and socially ostracized for “fight[ing] back against state violence.”

James also responded to this post, writing on X, “Thank you to my comrades for posting this beautiful, powerful letter. I never wrote the neo-liberal apology posted in late April, and I’m glad we’ve set the record straight once and for all. I will not allow anyone to shame me for my politics.”

“Anything I said, I meant it,” he concluded.

Kirk, 31, was shot and killed during a speaking event at Utah Valley University, where he was engaging in dialogue with students. He is survived by his wife and two young children. A young Utah man — Tyler Robinson, 22 — was taken into custody last week as the suspected shooter, about 33 hours after the assassination, according to state and federal law enforcement.

Kirk was an outspoken supporter of Israel and advocate against antisemitism. He regularly debated students on the subject of Israel and brought his ideas to young people at a time when, according to recent polling, that age group was turning decidedly against the Jewish state.

“There’s a dark Jew hate out there, and I see it,” Kirk told a student during a podcast episode which aired earlier this year. “Don’t get yourself involved in that. I’m telling you it will rot your brain. It’s bad for your soul. It’s bad. It’s evil. I think it’s demonic.”

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Spain’s PM Sánchez Faces Backlash for Fueling Anti-Israel Hostility Amid Surge in Antisemitic Incidents

Cycling – Vuelta a Espana – Stage 21 – Alalpardo to Madrid – Madrid, Spain – Sept. 14, 2025: Barriers are smashed by anti-Israel protesters during Stage 21. Photo: REUTERS/Ana Beltran

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is facing backlash from his country’s political leaders and Jewish community, who accuse him of fueling antisemitic hostility after incidents at the Vuelta a España disrupted the prestigious cycling race.

Amid a sharp rise in anti-Jewish hate crimes and anti-Israel sentiment, Lorenzo Rodríguez, mayor of Castrillo Mota de Judíos in northern Spain, accused the country’s leader of “fueling a discourse of hatred” against Israel and the Jewish people.

“The government is fostering antisemitism that will prove deeply damaging for Spain,” Rodríguez said in an interview with the local outlet El Español.

“Sánchez’s moves are less about serious foreign policy and more about deflecting attention from his trials and failures in governance,” he continued. “Spain isn’t leading anything — it’s merely whitewashing Hamas and other terrorist groups.”

On Sunday, anti-Israel protests forced the finale of the Vuelta a España cycle race to be abandoned as police tried to quell demonstrations against the participation of an Israeli team.

In his interview, Rodríguez blamed Sánchez for fostering a hostile climate in Spain, saying the country is witnessing “hatred toward an entire people.”

He also criticized the Spanish leader for failing to take a strong stand on other international crises, including those in Russia and Venezuela.

“We all recognize that the Palestinian people are suffering, but the solution cannot be to blame the Jewish people,” Rodríguez said.

“People are afraid. There’s growing concern because our town was recently targeted,” he continued. “We are being singled out and threatened even though we have nothing to do with this war.”

Before the incidents on Sunday that led to the race’s cancellation, Sánchez expressed “admiration for the Spanish people mobilizing for just causes like Palestine” through their protests.

Madrid’s Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida strongly condemned Sánchez’s statement, accusing him of encouraging hostility and fueling tensions.

“The prime minister is directly responsible for this violence, as his statements this morning helped instigate the protests,” Martinez-Almeida said after the race was canceled.

“Today is the saddest day since I took office as mayor of this great city,” he continued.

Santiago Abascal, leader of the far-right Vox party, also criticized Sánchez’s remarks, accusing him of stoking division to maintain his hold on power.

“The psychopath has taken his militias to the streets,” Abascal wrote in a post on X. “He doesn’t care about Gaza. He doesn’t care about Spain. He doesn’t care about anything. But he wants violence in the streets to maintain power.”

Shortly after the incidents, the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain (FCJE) publicly denounced the violence, urging authorities to respond quickly and decisively.

“Violence and intimidation have no place in a democratic society and cannot be excused under the guise of freedom of expression,” FCJE said in a statement.

“These violent demonstrations fuel hatred and contribute to a concerning rise in antisemitism in Spain, which we have been warning about over the past two years,” the statement read. “It is unacceptable that violence is justified on ideological grounds and hostility is directed toward the Jewish community”

Since the start of the war in Gaza, Spain has become one of Israel’s fiercest critics, a stance that has only intensified in recent months, coinciding with a shocking rise in antisemitic incidents targeting the local Jewish community — from violent assaults and vandalism to protests and legal actions.

On Monday, Sánchez called for Israel to be barred from international sports events after pro-Palestinian activists disrupted the finale of the Vuelta cycling race in chaotic scenes in Madrid.

“The sports organizations should ask whether it’s ethical for Israel to continue participating in international competitions. Why was Russia expelled after invading Ukraine, yet Israel is not expelled after the invasion of Gaza?” Sánchez said while speaking to members of his Socialist Party.

“Until the barbarity ends, neither Russia nor Israel should be allowed to participate in any international competition,” the Spanish leader continued.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned Sánchez’s remarks, labeling him “an antisemite and a liar.”

“Did Israel invade Gaza on Oct. 7th or did the Hamas terror state invade Israel and commit the worst massacre against the Jews since the Holocaust?” the top Israeli diplomat wrote in a post on X.

The Palestinian terrorist group Hamas started the war in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, when it led an invasion of southern Israel, murdered 1,200 people, and kidnapped 251 hostages while perpetrating widespread sexual violence against the Israeli people.

Israel responded with an ongoing military campaign aimed at freeing the hostages and dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities and political rule in Gaza.

As part of its anti-Israel campaign, Spain announced on Tuesday that it will boycott next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if Israel participates, citing the country’s military offensive against Hamas in the war-torn enclave.

Last week, Sánchez also unveiled new policies targeting Israel over the war in Gaza, including an arms embargo and a ban on certain Israeli goods.

The Spanish government announced it would bar entry to individuals involved in what it called a “genocide against Palestinians,” block Israel-bound ships and aircraft carrying weapons from Spanish ports and airspace, and enforce an embargo on products from Israeli communities in the West Bank.

In one of its latest attempts to curb Israel’s defensive campaign in Gaza, Spain has canceled a €700 million ($825 million) deal for Israeli-designed rocket launchers, as the government conducts a broader review to systematically phase out Israeli weapons and technology from its armed forces.

Saar has denounced Sánchez’s latest actions, accusing the government in Madrid of antisemitism and of pursuing an escalating anti-Israel campaign aimed at undermining the Jewish state on the international stage.

“The government of Spain is leading a hostile, anti-Israel line, marked by wild, hate-filled rhetoric,” Saar wrote in a post on X, accusing Sánchez’s “corrupt” administration of trying to “divert attention from grave corruption scandals.”

“The obsessive activism of the current Spanish government against Israel stands out in light of its ties with dark, tyrannical regimes — from Iran’s ayatollahs to [Nicolás] Maduro’s government in Venezuela,” the Israeli diplomat continued.

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