Article Contents
Since October 7, and frankly, for much longer than that, we have repeatedly spoken in countless interviews and written about in these pages about the alarm we feel about the anti-Semitism we see in our city. Since then, hatred and intimidation in our streets, workplaces and campuses have continued to threaten not only our Jewish community, but the very values ​​on which our society is founded.
Article Contents
The Jewish community of Montreal will never accept to live in fear of violence and intimidation. In the words of Menachem Begin, “we are not Jews whose knees tremble.” Normalizing anti-Semitism, downplaying hatred, or tolerating the escalation of violence and intimidation against Quebec's Jewish community is not an option. That is why we will continue to speak out.
Last week, the SPVM released its 2023 annual report, revealing that Montreal police stations recorded 353 hate crimes, up 67% from the previous year. Additionally, the number of hate incidents rose from 72 to 171, an increase of almost 138%. And most experts believe these figures are grossly underreported, as the lack of verifiable consequences leaves people with no confidence that reporting hateful acts will yield meaningful consequences.
These figures confirm already alarming data shared by various media outlets in January: Global News reported that 131 anti-Semitic hate incidents occurred against Montreal's Jewish community between Oct. 7 and Jan. 30. University presidents testified in parliament about “significant problems” of anti-Semitism on campuses where encampments have long been tolerated.
Article Contents
Canada has seen a spate of violent attacks targeting three of the country's largest Jewish communities in recent weeks. Just days after it was announced that the first suspect had been arrested in one of the November shootings at a Jewish school in Montreal, another school in the community was attacked.
This is what we have experienced, and what we have been experiencing since the Hamas massacre of October 7. Code words like “global intifada” and “kill all Zionists” are used unchecked, despite the fact that we know what they mean.
Some leaders have spoken out, condemning this act outright and speaking out against anti-Semitism, but the situation calls for more than words and a principled stand.
This is not a fight the Jewish community can or should face alone, for the rise and normalization of anti-Semitism is indicative of a much larger problem. We have seen the consequences of the trivialization of anti-Semitism in Europe. We cannot allow the right to freedom of expression to be confused with an obligation to provide a platform for those who sow hatred and division, or, even worse, to protect those who spread it.
Inciting hatred, occupying university property, and vandalism are all criminal acts that can be prosecuted, but when we allow these actions to occur on our streets for months without arrests or prosecution to the fullest extent of the law, people get the message that this is acceptable behavior and will continue to push the envelope.
We know that meaningful change comes when municipal leaders and authorities take decisive action. That's why we will be at City Hall on June 17th to demand decisive action against anti-Semitism and hatred in our streets. Every citizen has the right to be safe in Montreal. That is our social contract.
Stop messing around!
Yair Shulack is president and CEO of the CJA Federation, and Etta Yudin is vice-president (Quebec) of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA).
Editor's recommendation
Alison Haynes: Universities forced to walk a tightrope as protesters hunker down
Political leaders condemn latest shooting at Montreal Jewish school
Share this article on social networks
