A video taken on Friday, August 8, that shows a 32-year-old Jewish man being attacked while out with his two children is currently being investigated by Montreal Police, The Times of Israel reports. The assailant has not been caught as of the time of reporting.
A 28- second video circulating on social media showed part of the anti-Semitic attack –which occurred in the borough of Villeray-Saint- Michel-Parc-Extension –beginning with the assailant straddling the man and beating him.
The assailant then picked up some groceries and threw what appeared to be a kippa into a nearby splash pad area.
The video did not show the moments leading up to the attack.
According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the man –who was dressed in typical ultra-Orthodox attire –suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
A number of Canadian leaders have commented and condemned the anti-Semitic incident amid the rising incidences of such around Canada since October 7, 2023. Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the “appalling act of violence” and Premier of Quebec, Francois Legault, expressed that he hopes justice will be served and that hatred and violence have no place in Montreal.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said, “these are images reminiscent of dark periods of Jewish persecution” –and that Canada must do more to fight anti-Semitism.
Mayor of the Montreal suburb, Hampstead, expressed his outrage as well. “This is the Canada that Mark Carney has allowed to fester –a place where weakness in our leadership has emboldened brutality. We will defend our people –every time, without apology,” he said.
Like the attack in Milian at a service station, anti-Semitic incidents can occur simply by the sighting of something like a kippah, tallit, or anything else that may suggest a Jewish identity or practice. According to Canda’s B’nai Brith, anti-Semitic incidents in Canada have almost doubled since October 7 –this includes bombings and shootings at Jewish schools and synagogues in Canada’s major providences like Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Just as Jews’ sense of security in Israel was shattered on October 7, Jewish people around the world find that their own is also waning. The Fellowship will continue to serve as “watchmen on the walls” and as major resource for awareness and education against anti-Semitism.
