Montreal police chief Fady Dagher said he understands the “sense of panic” among Jews, noting that he had viewed videos released by Israeli authorities of the massacre of civilians by Hamas, which is “something no human being should see.”
Dagher, director of the Service de Police de Ville de Montréal (SPVM), participated in a Zoom call on Oct. 23 organized by B’nai Brith Canada at his request to address the Jewish community.
Station commanders are working with community leaders to provide the most effective security within the limits of the SPVM’s resources.
“We trust you (to identify where the most protection is needed). We follow what you ask us to do,” said Dagher, who noted that he had spent time in Jewish homes that weekend “just to listen, to the fear and anxiety. It is the best way for me to learn.”
On Oct. 20, the SPVM stated that it had recorded 36 hate crimes and hate-motivated incidents from the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct.7 up to Oct. 18. These include 12 hate crimes and 13 incidents against the Jewish community reported to police.
That number may sound high, said Dagher, but “the level of violence is much lower compared to the last years” when there has been conflict between Israel and Hamas.
He urged anyone who is the victim of or witness to such a crime or incident to immediately call 911, even if they do not think it is an emergency.
Asked the difference between a hate crime and an incident, Dagher offered the example of graffiti on a Jewish building as a hate crime, while a verbal insult would be regarded as an incident. Both would be followed up by police, usually the hate crimes unit. If there is doubt, the police will bring the matter to the courts to decide if there is criminality, he said.
But despite the concerns, Jews should not change their way of life, he said.
“Don’t take the mezuzah off your door or cover the kippah with a baseball cap. Don’t change your behaviour; stay true to your beliefs. Let the police take care of the rest and protect you.”
Discussing the numerous rallies which have taken place in Montreal, Dagher said that carrying a Hamas flag or calling for the annihilation of Israel in public are not crimes, and officers would only intervene if, for example, the flag was used in a physical or threatening way against another person; otherwise the force stays politically neutral.
Dagher described the rallies held in Montreal since Oct. 7 as essentially peaceful and well controlled by those organizing them.
He included in that assessment the massive pro-Palestinian demonstration on Oct. 22 that proceeded from downtown Dorchester Square to the Israeli consulate in Westmount. Dagher estimated between 8,000 and 12,000 people took part. The organizers of that event “fully collaborated (with police) and it went pretty well,” he said.
Dagher was appreciative of how well run the more modest and less frequent demonstrations in support of Israel have been, during the video conference moderated by B’nai Brith regional director Henry Topas.
The Jewish community, the chief said, has acted responsibly and he hailed it as “amazing” the way volunteers have kept peace and order.
Asked if someone yelling “death to Israel” or similarly calling for the end of the Jewish state at a demonstration, is a hate crime, Dagher responded, “I can’t answer that… I cannot engage in any political opinion… I stay very neutral.”
When an individual has possibly crossed a line, Dagher said officers have taken them aside and “talked to them.”
He acknowledged the thin line separating protected freedom of speech and expression from criminal hate speech especially when it involves politics, is a distinction that even the courts have trouble judging.
“It’s complicated… I am not a lawyer; we just try to convince both sides not to provoke or intimidate.”
The police do not place limits on the number of demonstrations either side can have, he said. However, if a particular group has not cooperated with police at an event, the force may “restrain” any future events it holds, such as permitting a shorter duration.
The Montreal police are not aware of any threats against the Jewish or Arab community here, Dagher said. However, he added that they are “scared of a lone wolf or isolated event” that their intelligence gathering, including communication with other law enforcement agencies in Canada and internationally, may not detect.
Dagher, who became SPVM director in January, was born in Ivory Coast to Lebanese Christian parents and immigrated to Quebec when he was 17. The SPVM serves the entire island of Montreal.
His strongest message during the half-hour call was that he wants to work with and learn from the Jewish community. Topas stressed the gratitude of the community to Dagher and the police force.
“We are so grateful for your wisdom in a situation that can’t be easy for you or your troops,” said Topas, who is also cantor at Congregation Beth Tikvah in Dollard des Ormeaux.
A major rally to demand the release of Israeli hostages is planned for Oct. 29 at noon downtown, initiated by Federation CJA. So far, 67 Jewish organizations, including synagogues and schools, have endorsed the event.
