Montreal police investigating antisemitic attacks on Hasidic men in Outremont and Mile-End
Men returning from Shabbat services were harassed, spat at, and had traditional fur hats stolen or knocked off in Friday night incidents.
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Montreal police's hate crimes division is investigating antisemitic incidents in which Hasidic men were allegedly targeted Friday night in Outremont and Mile-End.
According to the Jewish Hasidic Council of Quebec (CJHQ), several men returning home from Shabbat services were harassed by individuals driving around the neighbourhood. "Victims were yelled at, subjected to antisemitic slurs, spat at, and had objects thrown at them," the organization said. Several victims had their traditional fur hats (shtreimel) stolen or knocked off. Among those targeted was a person with a physical disability who uses a wheelchair.
A security camera video shared by CJHQ showed a car pulling up to a curb. A man exited, attempted to grab a shtreimel from a man on the sidewalk from behind while taunting him, then ran back to the car which drove off. CJHQ denounced the incidents as hateful acts. "This was not a prank or a random act of mischief."
Outremont Mayor Caroline Braun condemned the incidents in a Facebook statement. "For several months now, I have observed a disturbing rise in antisemitism in Montreal and Outremont. We have seen the emergence of hateful graffiti, acts of intimidation, violence, and hate speech that have no place in our city. This must stop."
United Against Hate Canada called for expansion of the SPVM's hate crimes unit and for the Public Security Commission to work with police. "There needs to be rapid arrests for this latest manifestation of hate and the heaviest instruments in the Criminal Code need to be used against those arrested," said Marvin Rotrand, the organization's director general. The group also called on Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada to create a task force on antisemitism.
