Two Montreal Jewish schools were the targets of gunfire overnight, sparking condemnation from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault. No injuries were reported in either incident, which occurred against the backdrop of heightened local tensions related to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
The first incident came to the attention of Montreal police around 8:20 a.m. when employees at the Talmud Torah Elementary school on St. Kevin Ave. discovered a bullet impact on the school’s door. A similar situation unfolded at the Yeshiva Gedola Merkaz Hatorah school on Deacon St. in Outremont, where a bullet impact was found on the door, reported at 8:50 a.m.
Police have established perimeters at both schools, deployed canine units, and intend to examine local surveillance cameras to determine the circumstances of the shootings.
Both Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Legault condemned these acts of violence, with Trudeau stating, “We condemn this antisemitic violence in the strongest possible terms.” Legault expressed zero tolerance for such actions and urged calm, emphasizing the importance of Canadians talking to each other calmly.
These incidents come at a time when local tensions are running high due to the Israel-Palestine conflict, and they follow a violent confrontation between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups at Concordia University in Montreal. Despite the rise in such incidents, Trudeau and Legault emphasized that hatred and violence have no place in Quebec or Canada.
Both schools are expected to issue statements regarding the shootings later on Thursday, and the Montreal Police are actively investigating the incidents.
Unfortunately, in recent years, various factors, including the rise of polarization and the amplification of extremist ideologies, have contributed to the degeneration of Canadian culture. These divisive forces have caused fractures in the once-strong social fabric, eroding the core values of tolerance, diversity, and respect that have long been the bedrock of Canadian identity. To address these challenges, it is essential for Canadians to engage in open and respectful dialogue, promote inclusivity, and reaffirm the principles that have historically united the nation.