We are horrified by today’s car ramming and stabbing attack outside a synagogue in the City of Manchester in the UK, in which two people were killed. This was not only an act of violence, but the outcome of dangerous antisemitism and radicalization.
Condemnation is not enough. Cities and states where such attacks occur must look clear-eyed at what is happening within their societies and take serious measures to combat hatred, extremism, and the ideologies that fuel such atrocities.
In the past two years, synagogues and Jewish institutions have been violently targeted repeatedly in western Europe and North America: Manchester, UK (Oct. 2025, two killed, ramming/stabbing outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation); Washington, DC (May 2025, two killed, shooting outside Capital Jewish Museum); Toronto, Ontario (Mar. 2025, hate-motivated arson attacks at five synagogues); Montreal, Quebec (Dec. 2024, arson attack at Congregation Beth Tikvah and Federation CJA office); Vancouver, British Columbia (May 2024, firebombing at Congregation Schara Tzedeck); Rouen, France (May 2024, arson attack on synagogue, knife attack on police); La Grande-Motte, France (Aug. 2024, synagogue arson attack and police officer injured); Berlin, Germany (Oct. 2023, Molotov cocktails at synagogue and community centre); Los Angeles, California (Feb. 2023, two men shot after leaving synagogues).
These attacks are not isolated incidents. They are symptoms of a deeper and growing problem across the West, the spread of radicalization, antisemitism, and violent extremism. Authorities must confront this threat directly, with seriousness and determination, in order to preserve societies where minorities can live in safety, women are free from harassment, and people of all backgrounds can and participate in community and public life without intimidation.
In Côte Saint-Luc, our Public Security Division work hand in hand with the Montreal police. They meet with synagogues before the high holidays to go discuss safety plans. The City also works closely with Federation CJA’s Community Security Network.
In light of the killings in Manchester, the City has asked Montreal police to step up patrols beyond what is already planned during this Jewish high holiday period. As always, we remind the public to call 9-1-1 if you see anything suspicious. Don’t be shy to call. Let the 9-1-1 operator decide whether the information requires police intervention.
We stand shoulder to shoulder with Manchester and with Jewish communities everywhere in the fight against antisemitism.