THIRD FIRE BOMBING OF JEWISH CENTER IN MONTREAL
After Firebombing of Third Montreal Jewish Business, Community Group Demands Answers from Police
Following the latest in a string of firebombing attacks on Jewish targets in Montreal, Canada, a Jewish community group is demanding answers from the police.
The B’nai Brith Canada is “calling on the Montreal Police to get to the bottom of the attacks before people are seriously injured,” wrote the group in an email to reporters.
“The Police must explore every avenue of investigation and put an end to these attacks,” said Steven Slimovitch, the organization’s National Legal Council.
The B’nai Brith expressed concern on behalf of Montreal’s Jewish community over the frequency of the attacks and how they have been able to continue unabated. “This is the 3rd Jewish-owned business that has been fire-bombed in less than 2 weeks and our concern for the safety and welfare of the community is high. The Police must take concrete steps to reassure the community that their safety is not in jeopardy,” Slimovitch demanded.
Over the weekend a wholesale kitchen cabinet showroom belonging to Jewish business owner Joe Aisenstark was attacked following attacks over the last two weeks on kosher eateries Café Shalom and Chops.
In an interview with The Algemeiner last week Chops owner Ouri Ohayon dismissed the idea that the arson attacks were anti-Semitic. “There are so many kosher restaurants in the area and this has never been an issue,” he said.
Similarly a Montreal police spokesperson also told The Algemeiner that it didn’t appear the arson attacks were spurred by any religious or ethnic hatred.
“It appears this is a matter of competition between business places right now more than based on any ethnic or religious reasons right now,” the spokesperson said.
An investigative article published yesterday by the Toronto Star newspaper claimed that “Remarks by police suggest ‘competition’ between kosher restaurants in Hampstead neighborhood may be the motive behind attacks.”
Comments are closed.
