Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday urged Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to “stamp out” antisemitism, following the attacks on a Montreal synagogue and community center.
“Following the abhorrent—repeated—attack on the Beth Tikvah synagogue in Montreal, I spoke this evening with Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau. I reiterated to him my great concern over the intolerable wave of antisemitic attacks against the Canadian Jewish community,” the president said, according to a statement released by his office.
“I stressed that words would not suffice, and that firm and decisive action must be taken to bring the perpetrators to justice, to stamp out antisemitism, and to educate and legislate in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the Jewish community,” added the president.
On Wednesday, Herzog called on the Canadian government to take action after the Orthodox synagogue and a Federation CJA center were targeted with firebombs.
“The appalling antisemitic attack against Congregation Beth Tikvah and Federation CJA in Montreal, Canada, is yet another example of the vile wave of violence, hatred and intimidation to which Jews in Canada—and all over the world—have been subjected in recent weeks and months,” tweeted Herzog.
“The world must wake up, words are not enough: synagogues burned, Jews attacked—NEVER AGAIN IS NOW. Following this terrible attack especially, I call on the Canadian government to act decisively, and show that such hatred will not be tolerated,” he continued.
According to the Montreal Gazette, police were called to the synagogue on West Park Boulevard around 3 a.m. after receiving a report of a fire at the building, which houses several Jewish institutions.
Officers doused the flames and discovered the remnants of a crude firebomb. Glass was said to have been smashed, and smoke caused minor damage to the building.
Véronique Dubuc, a spokesperson for the Montreal City Police Service, said witnesses had seen a suspicious individual at the site, adding that CCTV footage was being examined to identify a suspect in the case.
The house of worship, located in the predominantly English-speaking suburb of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, was also the target of a firebomb attack in November 2023.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Wednesday urged Ottawa to “take the strongest possible stance against antisemitism” following the attacks.