Montreal’s Jewish community is reeling following another antisemitic attack.
As most of the country celebrated the anniversary of Canada’s confederation, Jewish graves at a cemetery near Montreal were desecrated with swastikas.
On Monday, commemorative stones were rearranged on top of graves at Kehal Israel Cemetery in Dollard-des-Ormeaux into the shape of swastikas.
It is a long-standing Jewish custom to leave stones at the graves of loved ones as a memorial to show that there are still people thinking of them, but the practice was profaned to display an antisemitic message instead.
The incident prompted the Mayor of Hampstead, Ontario, Jeremy Levi, to call on Justin Trudeau to “step aside” due to what he perceived as inaction from the Liberal government when it comes to tackling antisemitism.
“It is absolutely abhorrent and revolting to defile the dead with swastikas. This desecration at the Kehal Israel cemetery in Montreal is beyond contempt. Justin Trudeau, step aside and get out of the way so we can reclaim our country,” Levi said on X.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre chimed in, calling on the Prime Minister to take action against the disturbingly common acts of antisemitism in Canada.
“We cannot close our eyes to the disgusting acts of antisemitism that are happening in our country every day,” Poilievre said on X. “The Prime Minister must finally act to stop these displays of antisemitism. If he won’t a common sense Conservative government will.”
Trudeau’s office did not respond to True North’s request for comment.
The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish rights group, called the incident a “repulsive act of antisemitism and demanded that Canadian leaders take “concrete action to confront this hatred that’s invading” Jewish communities.
“Sadly, this is not an isolated incident, but part of a disturbing pattern of unchecked and unmitigated antisemitism plaguing the city,” B’nai Brith Canada, another Jewish rights group, said on X.
“Such acts of hatred cannot be tolerated. The Jewish community in Montreal deserves safety and respect, yet we are repeatedly confronted with blatant acts of antisemitism that undermine Canadian values. Not enough is being done!”
Each group called on political leadership, particularly on municipal levels, to take action.
Alex Bottausci, the mayor of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, responded to the targeted grave desecration in his city on his Facebook account.
“This incident is not only an affront to the Jewish community but also to the values of tolerance, respect, and unity that we hold dear,” he said. “I stand in solidarity with our Jewish neighbours, and I want to make it clear that hate has no place in our community. These acts of bigotry will not be tolerated in our community.”
He called on each resident of the community to speak out against acts of antisemitism and other forms of hate.
“My thoughts are with the family affected by this disturbing act. To them and to all my residents, I wish to reassure you of my resolve to combat antisemitism and all forms of hatred,” Bottausci said. “Together, we will ensure that tolerance, respect and unity prevail.”
When asked what concrete actions he plans to take to combat antisemitism in his city, Bottausci’s office did not respond before publishing.