Montreal police probe suspected arson at kosher restaurant, community fears antisemitic attack

Montreal police are investigating a suspected arson attack on the Nöam kosher restaurant in the Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough. The fire broke out around 3:15 a.m. on Saturday, with preliminary investigations indicating an individual intentionally started the blaze. A video reportedly shows a man setting the fire and fleeing the scene.

While no one was injured, the restaurant sustained significant damage. The incident has prompted calls from the community and local politicians to classify the attack as an antisemitic hate crime. Quebec Liberal MP Anthony Housefather publicly urged authorities to investigate the fire as a hate crime and to prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law.

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This attack on a Jewish-owned business must be investigated as a hate crime & those involved in this criminal act must be caught & prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The owner of the building expressed his belief that the fire was not accidental, stating, "I find it hard to believe it wasn't antisemitism." The Montreal Police Service spokesperson, Raphael Bergeron, confirmed the investigation is ongoing.

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I find it hard to believe it wasn't antisemitism.