Jew-Hate in Barney Panofsky's Hometown

A day after Golden Globe-winner Paul Giamatti gives a shout out to the city of Montreal, an editorial in the Montreal Gazette condemns a spate of antisemitic vandalism targeting city synagogues:

...As a city, Montreal's record of anti-Semitic acts is already charged. The last thing it needs are new entries, although sadly there has been no shortage of them. Last March, Ahavas Yisroel Viznitz Synagogue in Outremont was defaced with swastikas. Also last year, Young Israel of Chomedey synagogue in Laval sustained extensive damage when vandals caused an oil leak, contaminating the site.

In 2007, the Ben Wieder Jewish community centre was firebombed, and a few months earlier, the Skver-Toldos Orthodox Jewish Boys School. Two men were convicted in the attacks; one was sentenced to seven years in prison, the other to four. Police found letters in which the men claimed to be acting on behalf of Islamic Jihad.

One of the most shocking attacks was the 2004 firebombing of United Talmud Torah elementary school. More than 15,000 books were destroyed in the fire, which was allegedly in response to Israel's killing of a Hamas leader. Two Montreal men were charged; one was convicted and sentenced to two years in jail.

These convictions are a positive sign in an otherwise bleak picture. But the fact remains that these acts are far too common. It is shameful that there are those who would carry out such acts against other Montrealers, people with whom they share not only a civic space, but a life. What they do not share, tragically, are values of freedom and tolerance and respect.

It doesn't help when you import Judenhasss/Zionhass from French-speaking Arab lands (the UTT firebomber mentioned above was from the Maghreb, as was his Jew-hating mama who aided and abetted him.)