RABBI SAUL EMANUEL: ONE YEAR SINCE AN ATTACK ON THE JEWISH COMMUNITY COUNCIL- AND THINGS HAVE ONLY GOTTEN WORSE

Montréal, QC – Today marks one year since a molotov cocktail was thrown through the window of the Jewish
Community Council (JCC) of Montréal in an abhorrent act of anti-Semitic violence. A year later, rather than
seeing progress, we are witnessing a terrifying escalation of hatred against the Jewish community, culminating
in appalling events over the past week.

During the NATO summit held in Montréal, anti-Semitic protesters hijacked the streets, waving signs filled with
vitriol and targeting the Jewish community with hateful rhetoric. What should have been a gathering focused
on global peace and security instead became a stage for open bigotry, reminding us how easily antisemitism
can infiltrate even the most public of spaces.

Even more shocking, a franchisee operating a Second Cup in the Jewish General Hospital, a place meant to
represent healing and unity, was caught on video giving a Nazi salute and shouting about the “Final Solution.”
This grotesque display of hate is not only an insult to Holocaust survivors and their descendants but a direct
attack on the entire Jewish community. While Second Cup swiftly terminated their relationship with this
individual, the fact that such behavior occurred in the first place is a chilling reminder of the pervasive nature
of antisemitism in our city.

How did we get here? How, in 2024, are Jews in Montréal—and across Canada—facing open hate, intimidation,
and violence? The answer is clear: hatred has been emboldened by a failure of leadership, a lack of
accountability, and the dangerous normalization of antisemitism in our society.

To our political leaders and institutions, the Jewish community asks: What will it take for you to act?
We demand:
1. Increased security funding for Jewish institutions, including synagogues, schools, and community centers.
2. Hate crime enforcement that results in arrests and prosecutions—not just hand-wringing press releases.
3. Immediate removal of anti-Semitic individuals from positions of influence or authority,
including those who spew hateful rhetoric in public or private. This includes ensuring that businesses,
institutions, and organizations take swift and decisive action when members or affiliates engage in anti-Semitic
behavior. Accountability must be the standard, not the exception.

This is not just a Jewish issue—it is a Canadian issue. When hatred against one community is tolerated, it
threatens us all. Montréal is a city built on diversity and inclusion, yet today it stands at a crossroads: will we
be a beacon of unity, or will we allow hate to define us?

We are grateful to the organizations and individuals who stand with us in solidarity, but we must do more.
Words are no longer enough. It’s time for action.

To our fellow citizens: stand with your Jewish neighbors. Speak out against hate. Call on your elected officials
to protect all communities from violence and bigotry. Together, we can ensure that the horrors of the past are
never repeated.

One year ago, the flames burned through our window. Today, those flames threaten to engulf our entire city.
It’s time to put them out—not with words, but with action.

Rabbi Saul Emanuel
Executive Director
Jewish Community Council of Montréal

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For more information, please contact: 514.739.6363 ext. 1218 –
kalman@jccmontreal.org