Montreal police are investigating after photographs had been fired at two Jewish colleges.
Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) spokesperson, Jean-Pierre Brabant, stated police acquired two 911 calls, one at round 8:20 a.m., and the second simply earlier than 8:50 a.m.
In each instances, the callers reported the colleges’ entrance doorways had been struck by bullets, however police can not but verify if there’s a hyperlink between the incidents, he stated.
It’s not clear when the photographs had been fired.
One of many colleges, Talmud Torah Elementary Faculty, is situated on Saint-Kevin Avenue within the metropolis’s Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood.
At the very least one bullet casing was discovered on the scene, based on Brabant.
The opposite, Yeshiva Gedola of Montreal, is situated on Deacon Street, additionally in Côte-des-Neiges.
Brabant stated each colleges had been empty on the time of the taking pictures and no person was injured.
David Oliel, an grownup who research at Yeshiva Gedola, says the incident won’t deter him from overtly observing his religion.
“I’m going to maintain carrying my kippah proud and never be afraid to stay in my dwelling, the place I used to be born,” he stated, including that folks have the suitable to protest in opposition to the actions of the Israeli authorities however to not goal Jewish folks within the metropolis with violence.
The photographs fired come at a time of rising tensions in Montreal associated to the continued battle between Palestinians and Israelis within the Center East.
WATCH | Montreal’s Jewish neighborhood more and more involved about antisemitic acts:
Featured VideoBullet holes pierced the entrance of a Montreal Jewish college in a single day Wednesday simply hours after violence erupted at Concordia College between two scholar teams.
Earlier this week, Molotov cocktails had been thrown at a synagogue within the Montreal suburb of Dollard-des-Ormeaux. Yesterday, a combat broke out at Concordia College leading to a number of accidents and one arrest.
“The Jewish neighborhood, with near 300 years of historical past in Quebec, is below assault, and antisemitism is just not an issue that the Jews can clear up,” Yair Szlak, president and CEO of Federation CJA — a Jewish advocacy group — advised reporters Thursday.
Talking at a information occasion, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante appealed for calm. On the similar time, she stated she needs to make it clear that there will likely be penalties for violent and hateful acts.
“You’ll reply in your actions,” stated Plante.
“After I discuss to folks within the streets, in retailers, what folks need is peace, so we will’t go away room for individuals who wish to reply with violent actions.”
On X, previously referred to as Twitter, Anthony Housefather, MP for the driving of Mount Royal — the place Talmud Torah is situated — stated extra safety had been added.
At this time a bullet was fired right into a Jewish college in my driving. I’ve been in fixed contact with Jewish neighborhood management & met native police this morning. Enhanced safety measures had been in place & much more now added. No dad or mum or scholar ought to ever be put by means of this.
—@AHousefather
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau additionally weighed in on the latest incidents in Montreal.
“For me, violence and hate, antisemitism and scenes resembling those that we noticed at Concordia College or photographs fired at Jewish Faculties in a single day, all of that’s unacceptable, and it’s additionally not who we’re,” stated Trudeau.
Quebec Premier François Legault advised reporters on the similar information convention that what occurred to the 2 colleges can’t be tolerated.
Public Safety Minister François Bonnardel advised CBC he’s involved by the photographs fired in addition to the violence at Concordia College yesterday.
“The SPVM is taking the scenario severely,” he stated, including that households should proceed sending their kids to colleges.
Between Oct. 7 and Nov.7, Montreal police have tallied 73 reported hate crimes and hate incidents in opposition to the Jewish neighborhood and 25 in opposition to the Arab-Muslim neighborhood.
Final yr, Montreal police tallied 72 hate crimes and incidents in opposition to all teams for everything of 2022.