Montreal’s Jewish Public Library reversed its decision to move books by local children’s author Elise Gravel to closed stacks in response to her series of illustrated messages criticizing Israel
UPDATE 2/15/24: The JPL announced its reversal of the decision with a statement about how it “recognizes that everyone has a fundamental right to access the full range of knowledge, creativity, ideas and opinions, and to formulate and express their thoughts in public. “This includes those deemed unconventional, unpopular or unacceptable, whether in the content […]
The mayor of Montreal has been served with a legal notice alleging she has allowed hateful protests to continue unchecked
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante has been served a legal letter citing her as responsible for the city’s failure to address hateful demonstrations and has become a place where “masked people spewing hate and violence” block streets and businesses. The letter demands the city develop an immediate action plan The letter, signed by lawyer Neil […]
A controversial plan to combat antisemitism is endorsed by some Montreal politicians—but Quebec rejects idea of armed guards during times like these
A group of Montreal politicians from three levels of government has signed on to an “action plan” to combat antisemitism, but its most controversial recommendation of allowing Jewish gathering places to hire armed security guards was quickly rejected by the Quebec government. The group proposes that synagogues, Jewish schools and other community institutions be permitted […]
CIJA calls for resignation of Montreal’s anti-racism commissioner Bochra Manaï due to her recent silence on antisemitism—and support of a pro-Palestine rally
Jewish advocacy groups are denouncing Montreal’s anti-racism commissioner, Bochra Manaï, for remaining silent while the city’s schools and synagogues suffer a wave of antisemitic attacks. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) called for Manaï’s resignation on Nov. 14. “The anti-racism commissioner’s silence and inaction after a historic week of antisemitic terrorism in Montreal […]
Montreal’s Jewish community says it needs more funding for security—and less red tape
Montreal’s Jewish Community Council (JCC) sent an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week asking for more help to address the growing security needs of the community. Over a hundred community organizations signed the letter which asked for a significant boost in SIP (security infrastructure program) funding, a reduction in red tape to […]
Mayor Valérie Plante and other Montreal politicians condemn the second shooting in less than one week at a Jewish school
Montreal Jewish elementary school Yeshiva Gedola was shot at for the second time in less than one week. Montreal Police (SPVM) received calls around 5 a.m. on Sunday Nov. 12 concerning the sound of gunshots near the school in the city’s Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood. Witnesses told police that a car was seen rapidly fleeing the scene. […]
A clash between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian student groups at Concordia University led to one arrest
One student was arrested and three people were slightly injured after pro-Palestinian students confronted Jewish students at Montreal’s Concordia University in a tense altercation on Nov. 8. A 22-year-old student who assaulted a 54-year-old security guard was arrested, and another security guard and student sustained minor injuries as well, Montreal Police (SPVM) said. Federation CJA […]
Montreal suburb plans to impose a $1,000 fine for damaging or removing Israeli hostage posters
A suburban mayor is defending his municipality’s proposal to make it illegal to damage or remove posters of hostages being held in Gaza since Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi announced on Nov. 2 that the town council will adopt a bylaw introducing a $1,000 fine against anyone found vandalizing or […]
Montreal’s police chief understands the ‘fear and anxiety’ in the Jewish community since the start of war with Hamas
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 […]
Alexandre Look of Montreal was killed during the Hamas attack on the Supernova music festival
A Montreal man was killed in the Hamas attack in Israel, his family has confirmed. Alexandre Look, 33, a resident of Côte St. Luc, was attending the Supernova outdoor music festival on Oct. 7 near the Gaza border when Hamas terrorists opened fire, killing at least 260 people. His parents Raquel and Alain Look, posted […]
