Authorities in Montreal Investigate Shooting at Jewish School, Organizations Urge Community to Remain Alert

May 30, 2024 TruthUSA

An investigation is underway after a Jewish school in Montreal was struck by gunfire, marking the third such incident in the city’s Jewish community since October. Advocacy groups are cautioning the community to remain vigilant.

Montreal police were called to the Belz school at the Young Israel of Montreal synagogue on May 29 after reports of visible projectile impacts on the building. Police spokesperson Sabrina Gauthier confirmed that at least one bullet was found at the front of the school, following an overnight shooting on May 28.

Authorities are seeking video footage of the incident and have deployed a police car near the school. Investigators and crime scene technicians are on-site, although no suspects have been identified yet.

The Federation CJA and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs Quebec, in a joint statement, clarified that no one was inside the building during the shooting.

Assurances have been made by Montreal police regarding increased patrols around all Montreal Jewish schools. While there is no specific threat known, the groups are urging continued vigilance.

Shooting Condemned

The recent shooting at the Belz school follows a similar incident at a Jewish girls school in Toronto. This latest attack is the fourth at a Jewish school in Montreal since last October, prompting condemnation from political and Jewish leaders alike, who have denounced the acts as anti-Semitic.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre reacted to the incident on social media platforms.

Expressing his concern, Prime Minister Trudeau wrote on May 29, emphasizing that such incidents of anti-Semitism will not be tolerated.

Mr. Poilievre also called for the government to better protect the Jewish community against such violence.

President-CEO Michael Levitt of the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center urged political leaders to take immediate action in response to the escalating anti-Semitic violence.

He emphasized the need for action rather than just thoughts and prayers, urging leaders to address the issue before it escalates further.

The Federation CJA and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs Quebec also called for more decisive action by Mayor Valérie Plante to combat anti-Semitic incidents in Montreal.

Mayor Plante, in a social media post on May 29, condemned the shooting as “completely unacceptable” and reiterated that anti-Semitism has no place in Montreal.

She expressed confidence in the city’s police force to bring the responsible party to justice.

This recent gunfire incident is part of a series of attacks on Jewish schools in Montreal since October 7, 2023, following Hamas’ attacks on Israel.

Bullets were previously aimed at the doors of the Yeshiva Gedola school and the United Talmud Torahs of Montreal on Nov. 9, and Yeshiva Gedola was targeted again on Nov. 12.

Last week, Abdirazak Mahdi Ahmed, 20, was arrested in connection with the Nov. 12 incident.

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