A Jewish father was violently assaulted outside his child’s school in Montreal’s Outremont neighborhood on Monday, sending shockwaves through the city’s Jewish community and igniting renewed concerns about rising antisemitism in Canada.
The attack occurred around 8:15 a.m. when the father was reportedly approached by two individuals who made antisemitic remarks before physically assaulting him. The victim, whose identity has not been released, suffered injuries requiring medical attention, according to Montreal police.
“This despicable act of violence targeting a parent simply dropping their child at school represents a disturbing escalation in what has become an increasingly hostile environment for Jewish Canadians,” said Sarah Bernstein, CEO of the Canadian Jewish Federation, in a statement to CO24 News.
Montreal Police Service spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant confirmed that the department’s hate crimes unit has taken over the investigation. “We’re treating this incident with the utmost seriousness and are actively seeking witnesses and surveillance footage from the area,” Brabant told reporters Tuesday morning.
Statistics Canada data released earlier this year showed antisemitic incidents have surged by over 40% since October 2023, coinciding with increased tensions in the Middle East. This latest attack comes amid what community leaders describe as an “unprecedented wave” of antisemitism across the country.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the assault on social media, writing: “Violence motivated by hate has no place in our country. My thoughts are with the victim, his family, and the Jewish community in Montreal and across Canada.”
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante echoed these sentiments, announcing increased security measures around Jewish schools and community centers. “We will not tolerate hate crimes in our city,” Plante stated during an emergency press conference. “Montreal stands firmly with our Jewish neighbors.”
The incident has sparked protests, with hundreds gathering outside Montreal City Hall Tuesday evening, calling for stronger government action against antisemitism. Demonstrators carried signs reading “Protect Jewish Canadians” and “No Tolerance for Hate.”
Jonathan Freedman, a professor of political science at McGill University specializing in ethnic relations, points to a troubling trend. “What we’re witnessing isn’t isolated,” he told CO24 Politics. “The normalization of antisemitic rhetoric online has increasingly translated to real-world violence, particularly in urban centers with visible Jewish communities.”
Jewish community centers across Montreal have implemented additional security measures in response to the attack. The Federation of Jewish Schools of Quebec announced temporary changes to drop-off and pick-up procedures, including increased security personnel and staggered arrival times.
As police continue their investigation, fundamental questions remain about how Canadian society can effectively combat rising antisemitism. Have our institutions failed to recognize early warning signs of escalating hate, and what responsibility do political leaders, educational institutions, and citizens bear in creating a country where all communities can feel safe?
