Montreal Jewish School Faces Second Gunfire Attack: Mayor Condemns Hate Crimes

Montreal Jewish School Faces Second Gunfire Attack:

It’s unsettling that the Yeshiva Gedola of Montreal, a Jewish day school on Deacon Road in Côte-des-Neiges, was shot again in four days. Multiple reports to the police about gunshots were made about 5 a.m. on Sunday.

At a news conference, school spokeswoman Lionel Perez called the incident a “terrorist attack” and expressed worry about the Jewish community being targeted. Despite the violence, he said, the neighborhood will not be intimidated.

No one was hurt, but bullet impact marks on the school’s exterior and shot casings on the ground reminded us of the targeted assault. Perez urged police to boost enforcement at Jewish schools and institutions to protect the community.

Police spokesman Véronique Dubuc said witnesses saw a car escape the shooting. Police have not made any arrests and cannot confirm whether anybody was inside the building during the event. Investigation security has been developed.

Premier François Legault pledged to uncover and punish the perpetrators in solidarity with Quebec’s Jewish community. He advised against bringing hate and violence into Quebec, underlining its peace commitment.

Reporters heard Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante call the current violence “odious.” She said Montreal’s Jewish community was under assault and that the city, famed for its tranquility, would not tolerate such occurrences. Plante urged togetherness against hatred and violence.

Last Wednesday, Yeshiva Gedola and Talmud Torah Elementary School, another Côte-des-Neiges Jewish school, were shot. Since the schools were vacant, no injuries were recorded.

Mayer Feig, a Council of Hasidic Jews of Quebec member, worried that these assaults were aimed to frighten Jews. He reiterated that Quebec, Canada, and Montreal did not allow such activities.

Israeli-Hamas tensions are fueling citywide violence on Jewish-owned property. A prior incident included Molotov cocktails at a West Island synagogue and Jewish community center.

Diverse women community leaders attended a CRARR press conference to oppose racism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia amid the upheaval. They advocated for togetherness and empathy, arguing that more unites than separates.

Montrealers are feeling heightened emotion and anxiety while these occurrences are investigated. Alain Vaillancourt, Montreal’s executive committee member for public security, said police had increased presence near schools, synagogues, and mosques to guarantee community safety. Between October 7 and November 7, Montreal police recorded 73 Jewish hate crimes and 25 Arab-Muslim hate crimes, a worrying trend.

Rising Racism In Montreal’s Jewish Community

The Yeshiva Gedola of Montreal, a prominent Jewish day school, has been struck by gunfire twice in a week, highlighting prejudice. The event at 5 a.m. on Sunday aroused worries about Montreal’s Jewish community’s safety. The school’s spokesman, Lionel Perez, called the incident a “terrorist act” and expressed concern that the Jewish community was again targeted by prejudice and violence.

The school’s front has gunshot impact marks and shell shells around the location, indicating a targeted attack. Perez wants police to be more visible at Jewish organizations to fight prejudice. Premier François Legault promised rigorous investigations to identify and punish the perpetrators in solidarity with the Jewish community. The escalating occurrences threaten community safety and add to the city’s racism.

Mayor, Community Leaders Fight Racism

Mayor Valérie Plante told reporters that the Jewish community in Montreal was under threat and called recent racist crimes “odious.” She stressed that the peace-loving city would not tolerate such prejudice. Plante appealed for solidarity against racism, saying no one should fire at an elementary school to send a message. To protect the community, Montreal’s executive committee member for public security, Alain Vaillancourt, ordered more police near schools and synagogues.

Women community leaders from varied backgrounds attended a Center for Research-Action on Race Relations press conference amid rising prejudice. They condemned racism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia to promote togetherness and understanding. Mélissa Shriqui of Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom stressed the uniting power of communities to fight prejudice. Pearl Eliadis, a McGill University associate professor, called for a unified front against Montreal’s rising bigotry, especially antisemitism.

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Global Conflict And Local Racism Raise Tensions

Montreal Jewish schools were attacked amid escalating Middle East tensions between Israel and Hamas. Mayer Feig, a Council of Hasidic Jews of Quebec member, worried that these racist actions were meant to frighten Jews. He said such prejudice had no place in Quebec, Canada, or Montreal and called for a stop. The use of Molotov cocktails on a West Island synagogue and Jewish community center highlights Montreal’s rising antisemitism.

Community leaders and people in Montreal are appealing for a unified front against racism in all its manifestations as they deal with increased prejudice and worry. Increased police presence ensures community safety, but the occurrences highlight the need to address racism’s bare roots. Montreal must promote tolerance and understanding while fighting racism as hate crimes, including 73 against the Jewish community between October 7 and November 7, rise.