Police in Montreal are currently looking into an incident where what appear to be projectile-induced holes were discovered Wednesday morning in the front windows of a restaurant owned by an Israeli, as reported by The Montreal Gazette.
Yoni Amir, proprietor of Falafel Yoni in Montreal’s Mile End neighborhood, expressed his belief that the targeting of his business was motivated by anti-Semitism, pointing out his Jewish heritage and Israeli origin, describing the attack as deeply unsettling.
Amir noted that his restaurant had recently been included on social media “boycott lists” circulating on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. He mentioned that similar stickers advocating for “free Palestine” and referencing genocide had been posted on his restaurant’s storefront several times over the past few months. Additionally, a nearby gym, co-owned by a Jewish individual born in Israel, also had its windows shattered early Wednesday morning.
By Wednesday afternoon, three small bullet-sized holes were visible in the front windows of the restaurant. Amir stated that staff members discovered the damage in the morning and promptly contacted the police.
Sabrina Gauthier, spokesperson for the Montreal Police, informed CityNews Montreal that it is premature to classify the incident as a hate crime. She confirmed that the incident likely occurred overnight and that police are currently gathering additional evidence and surveillance footage to determine the exact timing and any possible suspects involved.
Local politicians swiftly condemned the incident. Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante took to social media platform X, asserting that she believes the incident was intended to intimidate Montreal’s Jewish community.
“Antisemitism and violence, whether through imagery, language, or actions, do not reflect our values and have no place in Montreal,” she stated. Plante expressed confidence in the Montreal police, urging them to utilize all necessary resources to apprehend the perpetrator responsible for the crime.
Montreal Liberal MP Anthony Housefather echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the urgency to act in response to an attack on a Jewish-owned business listed on social media. He called on Montreal’s administration to support the police in safeguarding the city’s Jewish community.
Montreal city councillor Sonny Moroz also condemned the targeted attack on a Jewish business solely due to its Jewish identity. He urged governments and civil society to unite against such expressions of hatred.
Montreal has experienced a rise in antisemitic incidents in the aftermath of Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7. In late November, a firebomb was hurled at the door of a Jewish community center in Montreal. Earlier that month, Congregation Beth Tikvah in Dollard-Des Ormeaux was targeted with firebombs.
Within days, two Jewish schools in the city were fired upon. Three days later, another Jewish school was struck by bullets.
In late May, Montreal police launched an investigation after gunfire hit a Jewish school in the city, fortunately resulting in no injuries, according to police reports.
{CB Frommer – Matzav.com}