Updated: Shots fired at two Jewish schools in Montreal

Article content

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault on Thursday condemned two overnight incidents that saw Montreal Jewish schools targeted by gunfire.

Trudeau said he was “horrified” by the news.

Article content

“I want to be very clear: We condemn this antisemitic violence in the strongest possible terms,” Trudeau said at a housing press conference he and Legault attended in Longueuil on Thursday morning.

Article content

“This hatred has no place here in Montreal, in Quebec or in Canada,” Trudeau added.

“We have to remember who we are. I know emotions are running high — that people are fearful, they’re in mourning. But to attack one another as Canadians, it’s not what we do.”

The incidents came days after two West Island Jewish institutions were targeted by firebombs. On Monday, incendiary devices were left at the Beth Tikvah synagogue and a nearby Jewish community centre.

Legault also condemned the “terrible, horrible” acts involving Jewish schools, as well as a violent confrontation between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups at Concordia University in Montreal on Wednesday.

“It’s unacceptable, it’s tolerance zero,” Legault said, adding he wants police to keep an eye on the situation.

He appealed for calm and did not rule out banning demonstrations.

“We don’t want hatred and violence in Quebec and we won’t tolerate this. The message must be clear: I understand that we’re seeing horrible scenes on TV, but we have to at a certain point be able to talk to one another calmly.”

Police officers will “increase their visibility at areas of significance for the targeted communities,” said Vincent Richer, the assistant director-general of the Montreal police department.

Article content

Article content

“I wish to remind everyone that hateful acts are unacceptable and we take them seriously,” he told reporters at city hall with Mayor Valérie Plante. “They are prohibited by the Criminal Code.”

Montreal police are in close contact with representatives of the Jewish and Muslim communities, Richer said. Anyone feeling harassed or witnessing such acts should call 911, he added.

Mayor Valérie Plante also condemned the “disturbing” incidents.

“Antisemitism, like any other demonstration of hatred and violence, has no place in our society,” she said.

‘A form of terrorism’: Drainville

In Quebec City, Education Minister Bernard Drainville said the incidents at the Jewish schools are unacceptable.

“Honestly, I am very worried,” Drainville said. “When people start to shoot at schools, it’s serious. This is not Quebec.

“When you start shooting at schools, it’s a form of terrorism,” he said. “We cannot cave into this.”

Drainville added: “The increase in antisemitism, the increase in hate actions and speech against the Jewish community is something which is very worrisome. It must stop

Article content

“We firmly condemn these acts. It is unacceptable. We stand wholeheartedly with the Jewish community. We stand wholeheartedly with these children, the personnel, the parents.”

Drainville noted the schools remain open but with increased security.

Christopher Skeete, the provincial minister responsible for the fight against racism, offered the government’s support to the Jewish community.

Both of the incidents occurred at schools in Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough.

Montreal police said the first incident was brought to the attention of Montreal police around 8:20 a.m. after employees at the Talmud Torah Elementary School on St-Kevin Ave. noticed a bullet impact on the school’s door.

The second event was reported to police at 8:50 a.m., when a bullet impact was found on the door of the Yeshiva Gedola-Merkaz Hatorah school on Deacon Rd.

Police perimeters have been set up at both schools, canine units deployed and police intend to examine local surveillance cameras in an effort to determine how and when the shootings occurred.

No injuries were reported in either event, which occurred as local tensions are high and have occasionally broken into incidents of violence as the Israel-Hamas conflict continues.

Article content

Officials at both schools are expected to issue statements concerning the shootings later on Thursday.

Jewish group urges vigilance

In an email sent to members of the Jewish community, Yair Szlak, the president and CEO of Federation CJA, a Jewish community group, confirmed that a single bullet was fired at the entrance doors of both schools.

No one was in either building at the time of the events, and there was minimal damage, he wrote.

“These facilities are secured and students and staff are all safe,” the email read.

Szlak said he requested increased police presence around all Jewish institutions, and that there will be more private security personnel and increased safety measures around schools, synagogues and daycare centres.

“We recognize this situation presents a significant change to our security situation,” Szlak wrote. “We are working on all fronts to address the matter. We understand that this adds stress and anxiety to our community members. We urge you to continue to take part in Jewish life while remaining vigilant at all times.”

He encouraged anyone seeing anything suspicious to call the police and to send any relevant photos or videos to Federation CJA.

“We are not going to answer all uploads, but as we gather data and information, it is helpful for us to see what you witnessed once you are safe and are able to share,” he wrote.

Via social media, Sonny Moroz, the city councillor for Snowdon, said: “I am very concerned about the shooting at Jewish schools in Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. I am immensely relieved that no one was in the buildings. Violence should never be a tool. It is intolerable. Montreal must remain a city of peace.”

Rachel Bendayan, the MP for Outremont riding, where one of the schools is located, said: “People are scared right now. I am appealing for calm in the interest of the safety of our entire community.”

Philip Authier and Jason Magder of the Montreal Gazette contributed to this report.

This report will be updated.

Article content

Article content