‘Absolutely abhorrent’ vandalism of Montreal cemetery with swastikas

The photo that Jeremy Levi, the mayor of Hampstead (Québec), shared on social media shows a Jewish tombstone of a Cohen, with an illustration of two hands configured in the priestly blessing. “Forever in our hearts” is inscribed on the tombstone, upon which someone formed a swastika out of small rocks—presumably left, according to Jewish custom, by those who visited the cemetery.

“It is absolutely abhorrent and revolting to defile the dead with swastikas. This desecration at the Kehal Israel cemetery in Montreal is beyond contempt,” Levi wrote. “Justin Trudeau, step aside and get out of the way so we can reclaim our country. May this cohen’s neshama have an aliyah on high.” (The two Hebrew words refer to “soul” and “ascent.”)

“We cannot close our eyes to the disgusting acts of antisemitism that are happening in our country every day,” wrote Pierre Poilievre, a Canadian parliamentarian who is running against Trudeau for prime minister.

“The prime minister must finally act to stop these displays of antisemitism,” Poilievre wrote. “If he won’t a common sense Conservative government will.”

B’nai B’rith Canada wrote that the vandalism was “another abhorrent act of antisemitism.”

“Sadly, this is not an isolated incident, but part of a disturbing pattern of unchecked and unmitigated antisemitism plaguing the city,” the group said. “Such acts of hatred cannot be tolerated. The Jewish community in Montreal deserves safety and respect, yet we are repeatedly confronted with blatant acts of antisemitism that undermine Canadian values. Not enough is being done!”

B’nai B’rith Canada said that Valerie Plante, the mayor of Montreal, “must do more than offer words of condemnation. We demand immediate and concrete action to combat antisemitism in the city of Montreal.”

“The time for passive responses is over. We cannot allow these forces of hate to continue to tear apart the fabric of Canadian society,” it added. “Mayor Plante must finally implement effective measures to ensure the safety and dignity of the Jewish community in Montreal.”