By Joseph Marshall
Nearly two weeks after a series of anti-Jewish attacks targeted visibly Jewish residents walking home from Shabbos services in Outremont and Le Plateau–Mont-Royal, arrests have now been made.
The Jewish Hasidic Council of Quebec (CJHQ) announced Wednesday that the SPVM has made “significant progress” in its investigation into the July 3 incidents and confirmed that arrests have been made in connection with the case.
The organization did not say how many people have been arrested and, as of Wednesday afternoon, Montreal police had not publicly released the identities of the suspects, announced any charges or issued a public statement detailing the arrests.
The attacks sent shockwaves through Montreal’s Jewish community. According to CJHQ, several members of the community were harassed, intimidated and assaulted while returning home from synagogue after Shabbos services. Victims were reportedly spat on, had objects thrown at them and had religious garments stolen. Several shtreimels were ripped from victims’ heads, and one man who uses a wheelchair was also assaulted.
Video that surfaced in the days following the attacks appeared to show one of the incidents, with a suspect jumping from a vehicle in an apparent attempt to steal a shtreimel before fleeing back to the waiting car.
The SPVM’s Hate Crimes Unit subsequently took over the investigation.
In its statement, CJHQ thanked officers from PDQ 26 and PDQ 38, investigators from the SPVM’s Hate Crimes Unit and the specialized police units involved in the investigation.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to the SPVM,” the organization said, praising investigators for their professionalism, dedication and diligent work.
The council also thanked victims and witnesses who came forward to assist police, saying their cooperation was instrumental in advancing the investigation.
While welcoming the arrests, CJHQ warned that the incidents reflect what it described as a growing trend of hostility toward visibly Jewish people.
“These incidents reflect a broader and deeply troubling trend in which antisemitism, harassment, and the targeting of visibly Jewish people are becoming increasingly normalized,” the statement said.
The organization urged anyone with additional information that could assist investigators or help identify any remaining suspects to contact the SPVM or Info-Crime Montréal.
