Justin Trudeau denounced a "hatred that has no place in Canada." Shots were fired at two Jewish faith schools in Montreal overnight Wednesday into Thursday, causing no injuries, police said.
Bullet holes were found on the door of two Jewish schools in the city of Montreal on Thursday morning, police said. They were reportedly fired in the middle of the night when the establishments were empty and caused no injuries, authorities said.
"I condemn this anti-Semitic violence in the strongest terms," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote Thursday on X (formerly Twitter), after speaking of a "terrifying" rise in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia amid the war between Israel and Hamas. "This hatred has no place in Canada and we must all denounce it," he said.
We were horrified to learn that Jewish schools in Montreal were shot at last night. I condemn this anti-Semitic violence in the strongest terms. And let me be clear: this hatred has no place in Canada and we must all denounce it.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 9, 2023
A violent confrontation at a university
Quebec Premier François Legault called on "all Quebecers to remain calm," condemning the act and a violent confrontation that took place Wednesday at a Montreal university.
I am very concerned about the shooting of Jewish schools this morning and the violence that we saw yesterday at Concordia University. Hatred and violence will never be tolerated in Quebec. Abusers must be punished.
— François Legault (@francoislegault) November 9, 2023
Two student groups claiming to be pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian came to blows at Concordia University, injuring three people, according to the university and police who had to intervene. One individual was arrested for assault. Swastikas and incitement to hatred posted online have also been reported by the establishment, which mentions "a worrying increase in acts of intimidation" in recent days.
The Quebec Premier has also "called in the police" to try to calm the social climate and does not rule out the possibility of banning gatherings held on the sidelines of the war in the Middle East.
Earlier this week, Montreal police said they launched an investigation after a synagogue in the Quebec metropolis was targeted by Molotov cocktails. The actions are part of a resurgence of anti-Semitic acts recorded, particularly in Europe, since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas on October 7.