Canada's problem with antisemitism, coincident with the war in Gaza against Hamas, has taken another bad turn.
Congregation Beth Tikvah, in the West Island municipality of Dollard-des-Ormeaux in Montreal, was firebombed early on Wednesday, marking the second such incident at the site since 2023.
Police arrived on the scene around 3 a.m., responding to 911 calls, and found the remains of an incendiary device after extinguishing the fire with an extinguisher, reported The Canadian Jewish News.
Arson investigators were on site, which is also home to a Jewish day school.
There was no major damage to the structure apart from a broken door and window and smoke damage, said Montreal police.
"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," wrote The Canadian Jewish News.
"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."
On Wednesday, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly said, "We stand firmly with the Jewish community and call for a thorough investigation to bring those responsible to justice."
Antisemitism in Canada is escalating. Statistics Canada reported Jews were the top target for police-reported hate crimes in 2023, despite making up less than 1% of the Canadian population.
Census figures show Jews number approximately 335,000 in Canada, compared to 1.8 million Muslims and 694,000 Arab Canadians.
