Jews Targeted in French Canada

Although CAIR and other muslim groups pretend islamophobia is a problem in the west and pretend that muslims are the victims of hate crimes, in reality it is Jews who are being victimized by hate crimes at an alarming rate.

Shootings at Jewish families shake up community in Ste. Agathe, Quebec

Written by Mike Cohen, Jewish Tribune

STE. AGATHE – A 15-year-old Ste. Agathe resident has once again given the Quebec Laurentian mountain town a black eye in regard to acts of intolerance against members of the Jewish community.

Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains have a significant orthodox Jewish population in the summer and a year-round synagogue in Ste. Agathe. Over the last number of years there have been a wide array of troubling incidents targetting Jews.

This included vandalism directed at cars owned by members of the local Chassidic community, the burglary of a Jewish grocery store, fires being set at Jewish homes, eggs thrown at the local synagogue and a violent assault against a young Chassidic Jew.

Extraordinary efforts have been made by the town to build bridges and as a result 2009 and most of 2010 was uneventful until now.

On Aug. 7 the teen and his friends allegedly entered a Jewish home in the town of Val David after midnight, opening the door violently, and letting out a scream. Later, on Shabbat, the same group found themselves in Ste. Agathe and the screaming teen allegedly fired many rounds from a BB gun while another one of his friends – using the same contraption – began firing in the direction of a number people. Complaints were filed with the Suréte du Québec (provincial police).

A Jewish tourist from Toronto, who would only identify himself as Allen, told the local Info Du Nord Ste-Agathe newspaper that he was walking on Montée Alouette Street with his wife and daughter when they came across the same two teens who were central players in the Val David incident.

Pellets were fired from the BB gun. The teens also shouted at them, but since the Torontonians do not speak French they did not understand. Soon after, more pellets were fired and one hit the daughter in the face, leaving a mark. Allen proceeded to call the police.

“I found out,” he said, “that it was not only me who experienced this. At least six or seven other people were intimidated the same day.”

The two main suspects were apprehended. There is no information being made public about their fate. The police captain for the town did not return messages.

“The alleged shootings at Jewish families may have substantially raised the bar of antisemitism in Canada,” said B’nai Brith Canada CEO Frank Dimant. “We expect that all levels of government will work with B’nai Brith to quickly help restore the level of tolerance in this country.”

Meanwhile, resident Moishe Maurice Amzallag, who owns a 150-acre property in Ste. Agathe where he rents homes, is accusing the town of Ste. Agathe des Monts of intimidation in regard to inspections that are taking place. He told the local paper that in past years his units were always rented by members of the Jewish community. Business has been down in recent years and as a result he has not been able to renovate his facility as he would like.

Adding to the problem is the fact the town is not maintaining a main road leading to his property. It is becoming bumpier and dangerous. On Aug. 11 the city sent 13 firemen, police officers and building specialists for an inspection. He said this is nothing more than a gesture of intimidation on the part of the city. The town is not commenting on the matter.

Moïse Moghrabi, Quebec regional chair of B’nai Brith Canada’s League for Human Rights, said, “We are looking very closely at the allegations of Mr. Amzallag and the circumstances surrounding them to ascertain if his case is tainted with antisemitism or simply a case of Town Hall incompetence and neglect. As soon as the facts are clearly established, B’nai Brith will, as usual, take all appropriate steps in the best interest of the Jewish community.”