Montreal kosher restaurant fire investigated as arson, police say

Montreal police are investigating a fire that gutted a kosher restaurant overnight as arson. The blaze caused extensive damage to Nöam, located in the Côte-des-Neiges, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough, an area with a significant Jewish population.

Investigators have not yet determined a motive and are not classifying the incident as a hate crime at this stage, though all hypotheses remain open. Nearly 80 firefighters responded to the two-alarm fire, which erupted around 3 a.m. Social media was quickly filled with concerns that the fire was a targeted attack against the Jewish community.

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Antisemitism simply has no place in our society and we must do everything we can to eradicate it wherever it manifests.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree expressed the federal government's concern, stating that "Antisemitism simply has no place in our society." B’nai Brith Canada, a Jewish advocacy organization, also condemned the fire, issuing a statement that "Jewish Canadians have heard enough condemnation and promises. Now we need action."

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Jewish Canadians have heard enough condemnation and promises. Now we need action.