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montreal synagogues among jewish institutions across canada targeted in bomb threats
a threatening email was sent to synagogues in hampstead, westmount, st-laurent, dollard-des-ormeaux and côte saint-luc, among other places.
aug 21 2024
2 minute read
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this report includes details that some readers might find disturbing.
montreal police and the royal canadian mounted police launched investigations wednesday after a threatening email was sent to more than 100 jewish institutions across canada, including several synagogues in montreal.
the email was sent around 5 a.m., warning the institutions that explosives had been placed in black backpacks and would be set off in a matter of hours.
“you will all end up in a pool of blood, none of you deserve to keep living,” the email read.
montreal police say they were alerted about the email shortly after 7 a.m., at which point they began ensuring there were no signs of serious threats at synagogues on the island.
montreal police spokesperson sabrina gauthier said the department consulted with its anti-terror squad and the force’s hate crimes division about the email.
while the police department was in charge of carrying out local searches, the investigation into the email was transferred to the rcmp.
by mid-afternoon, the montreal police were still conducting searches and meeting with institutions that were targeted.
the email was sent to synagogues in hampstead, westmount, st-laurent, dollard-des-ormeaux and côte-st-luc, among other places.
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across the country, the list of institutions included synagogues, jewish community centres and several hospitals.
in a statement, the jewish rights advocacy group b’nai brith canada, which also received the email, said the threat points to an emboldened hatred.
“in a country where all citizens should feel safe, these cowardly threats aim to terrorize our communities and erode our canadian values,” the organization said.
in an email response wednesday, the rcmp said it is working with local police.
“law enforcement is also engaging with faith-based leaders to ensure they have the information and support they need,” the rcmp said. “we want to reassure the public that the safety and security of canadians is our top priority.”
the threats are being investigated by the federal policing national security program, which works in collaboration with intelligence and law enforcement partners, the rcmp said.
in an interview, rabbi reuben poupko of the beth israel beth aaron congregation in côte-st-luc said he’s aware of about a dozen local synagogues that received the email.
montreal police say about 100 synagogues across canada received threatening letters aug. 21, 2024, including adath israel congregation in hampstead.
dave sidaway
/
montreal gazette
given the number of institutions that were threatened all at once, poupko said the synagogue followed protocol and searched the building but didn’t believe it was in immediate danger.
what makes the email more troubling, poupko said, is the context of an increase in antisemitic acts seen in montreal since the outbreak of the israel-hamas war .
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“synagogues and schools have been shot at or firebombed , individuals have been targeted, students have been harassed,” poupko said. “so it’s hard not to associate this with all the rest that is going on.”
still, poupko said synagogues and other jewish institutions in montreal remained open on wednesday.
“jewish life continues as normal today,” he said. “with a little more vigilance, but jewish life continues.”
the rcmp said members of the public who are in immediate danger should call 911 or contact local police. information can also be submitted to the rcmp national security information network by phone at 1-800-420-5805 or online at rcmp.ca/report-it .
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