A Montreal Jewish cemetery was desecrated over the weekend when pebbles on gravestones were rearranged in the shape of Nazi swastikas, Canadian politicians and Jewish groups said on Tuesday.
Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi condemned the vandalism of Kehal Israel Memorial Park, in which the stones that are traditionally placed on graves out of respect for the dead and to mark one’s visit to a deceased loved one were misappropriated.
“It is absolutely abhorrent and revolting to defile the dead with swastikas,” said Levi.
It is absolutely abhorrent and revolting to defile the dead with swastikas. This desecration at the Kehal Israel cemetery in Montreal is beyond contempt. Justin Trudeau, step aside and get out of the way so we can reclaim our country.May this Kohen’s neshama have an Aliyah on… pic.twitter.com/od4HgxmXxv
— Mayor Jeremy Levi (@jerlevi) July 1, 2024
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the ruling federal Liberal Party over the rising levels of antisemitism in Canada, calling for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take action, as if he does not, a Conservative-led government will.
“We cannot close our eyes to the disgusting acts of antisemitism that are happening in our country every day,” said Poilievre.
Jewish groups respond to vandalism
Bnai Brith Canada leveled blame at Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, demanding that she take action to protect the safety and dignity of the Jewish community.
“This is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern of unchecked and unmitigated antisemitism plaguing the city,” said B’nai Brith. “The Jewish community in Montreal deserves safety and respect, yet we are repeatedly confronted with blatant acts of antisemitism that undermine Canadian values.”
StandWithUs Canada said that taking “the Jewish tradition of placing stones on a loved one’s grave and morphing it into evil hints at the depths that antisemites are willing to sink”.
The incident was intended to intimidate and instill fear among Canada’s Jewish community, SWU declared.