Montreal Kosher Restaurant Burned in Suspected Antisemitic Arson Amid Rising Hate Crimes in Canada

A severe fire broke out early Saturday morning at Nöam, a popular kosher restaurant in downtown Montreal, causing extensive damage to the building. No injuries were reported. Local police have launched an investigation into the incident as a suspected arson after a suspect was seen fleeing the scene around 3 a.m. Authorities are reviewing security camera footage to identify the individual responsible.

Liberal Member of Parliament Anthony Housefather condemned the attack, urging authorities to treat it as a serious antisemitic hate crime, especially given the restaurant's significance to the Jewish community. This incident comes amid an unprecedented surge in antisemitic violence across Canada, including recent shootings and vandalism targeting Jewish-owned businesses in Toronto and Montreal.

The Jewish community in Canada, numbering approximately 400,000, has experienced a sharp increase in violent antisemitic incidents since Hamas launched its war against Israel on October 7, 2025. Official data indicates that by May 2026, antisemitic attacks had already surpassed the total for the previous year. These attacks have included shootings at a Jewish girls' school in Toronto, Molotov cocktail attacks on institutions in Montreal, and violent assaults on Jews in public spaces. The police have also warned of armed mercenaries targeting Jewish sites, heightening concerns within the community.

Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours, while police secured the area to collect forensic evidence. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to bring those responsible to justice amid growing fears of escalating antisemitic violence in Canada.