A Jewish father in Montreal was physically assaulted in front of his children. The assailant fled the scene and has not been apprehended yet.
By Rachel Avraham
Montreal police have launched an investigation after a 32-year-old Jewish man was attacked on the street in front of his children, CBC reported. Arutz Sheva reported that a police spokesperson confirmed a video circulating online, acknowledging that it shows part of the attack, which occurred in Montreal’s Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension. According to the report, Police said that the victim suffered injuries which were not life-threatening after being struck several times.
CBC News reported that the 28-second video does not show what led up to the physical assault, but begins with the assailant striking the victim, who is on the ground, several times. According to the report, the victim, who appears to be dressed in traditional Jewish attire, gets up on his knees and one of at least two children clings to him. CBC News reported that the attacker picks up some belongings in a grocery bag, and then tosses what appears to be a kippah, a head covering worn by Jewish men and boys, into a wet, splash pad area.
Jeremy Levi, the mayor of Hampstead, a municipality within Montreal, posted the video on X that afternoon, calling it “beyond deplorable” and an “outrage against basic human decency. In the heart of Montreal, a Jewish father is savagely beaten in front of his children. We will defend our people — every time, without apology.”
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) also posted the video on Facebook, saying “authorities must hold the attacker accountable, and leaders at all levels of government must confront this dangerous escalation.” According to various media reports, the assailant fled from the scene and has not yet been apprehended.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded: “The attack on a Jewish father in Montreal late yesterday, in front of his own children, is an appalling act of violence. Everyone in Canada has an inalienable right to live in safety. My thoughts are with the victim and his family as they recover, and my support is with law enforcement as they work to bring the perpetrator to justice.”
Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante says in a social media post that she was troubled by the “violent and unacceptable attack” and says Montreal police will get to the bottom of the incident, Yahoo News reported. According to the report, Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel, who represents the Papineau riding in the House of Commons where the attack took place, said on X she strongly condemns the “unprovoked assault of a Jewish father, attacked in front of his children.”
Christopher Skeete, Quebec’s minister responsible for the fight against racism, also took to X, noting the hatred on display must stop. “I am deeply disturbed by this video showing a member of the Jewish community being attacked for no reason in front of his child, whose cries can be heard,” Skeete said. “All Quebecers have the right to live in safety.”
Photo from CityNews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arq8Ne7MtDI
