Since the start of the Israel-Gaza war in October, Montreal police have been beefing up relations with Jewish and Muslim communities as part of a series of measures aimed at maintaining peace.
The surprise attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7 launched by Hamas, killing about 1,200 Israelis and taking 253 hostages, and Israel’s subsequent Gaza Strip invasion that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, has led to a spike in hate crimes reported in Montreal.
“Hate crimes are unacceptable and the SPVM takes them very seriously,” said Insp. David Shane, a spokesperson for the Service de police de la ville de Montréal (SPVM).
Shane was speaking during a news conference on Monday, updating the public on the SPVM’s ongoing effort to “ensure the safety of all.”
To date, 146 hate crimes and 104 hate incidents have been recorded by the SPVM since the start of the war, he said, and 31 files have been submitted to the Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales (DPCP).
Montreal police have, since Oct. 7, supervised more than 250 demonstrations, almost all of which took place in an orderly fashion, Shane said. He said the SPVM is in close contact with representatives of the Jewish and Muslim communities.
Meetings are held regularly to exchange views and adapt actions accordingly, he said.
When it comes to the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University, he said it will ultimately be up to the Quebec Superior Court to decide what to do next as the school is making an injunction request.
Police investigating controversial photo
Police officers are keeping a close eye on developments to ensure the protection and safety of all concerned, Shane said, and the SPVM has intervened and will continue to intervene if situations require it.
He cited the police’s response on June 6 as an example, noting arrests were made after demonstrators illegally occupied a university building.
Shane said the SPVM is investigating a controversial photo that was published to Instagram by one of the organizations involved with the encampment that depicted armed Palestinian fighters.
The group, Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) was advertising a “revolutionary youth summer program” at the McGill encampment that began Monday. SPHR said the program includes workshops, classes and discussions.
“We understand the fears this publication may arouse,” said Shane. “We are investigating the matter and have been in contact with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.”
Shane said anyone who feels threatened or harassed should call the police, or if they want to make an anonymous report, they can do so through Info-Crime Montréal.