B'nai B'rith Canada, a Jewish human rights group, is deeply troubled after a Molotov cocktail was thrown Tuesday morning at Congregation Beth Tikva in the suburb of Dollard-de Ormo.
"We were shocked to find the remains of what looked like an incendiary cocktail thrown at the front door," said Henry Tupas, director of the Quebec region of B'nai B'rith Canada, who also serves as cantor at Congregation Beth Tikva. "It's outrageous and shocking."
Hamas supporters clash with Taliban supporters at a demonstration in Canada
The alarming anti-Semitic act came amid weeks of incitement against the Jewish community at hate rallies across the country following Hamas' brutal attack on Israel on October 7. Jews, who make up just one percent of the country's population, remain Canada's most targeted religious minority, with antisemitism accounting for 66.9 percent of all hate crimes in 2022.
After discovering the attempted arson attack at Beit Tikva, Henry Tops immediately contacted the Montreal Police Department, who dispatched officers to the scene. "We thank the SPVM (Montreal Police) and Community Security Network (CSN) for all the work they are doing to keep our community safe during this difficult time," Topas said.
Fragments of the ignition device, photo: from the B'nai B'rith Canada website
"We are horrified that exactly one month into the day of the atrocities committed by Hamas, someone tried to burn down our house of worship. We call on the authorities to investigate and arrest those responsible for this violent act targeting our community."
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