Montreal Police Say Suspect Arrested After Israeli Flag Burning Outside Town Hall

Montreal police have arrested a suspect after an Israeli flag was set on fire outside of the municipal building of a town with a large Jewish population.

The Montreal City Police Services (SPVM) said it received a call around 7 a.m. on Aug. 25 about a fire in front of the Hampstead Town Hall on Queen Mary Road. SPVM said an Israeli flag was burned in front of the building. Hampstead holds one of the highest share of Jewish residents among Canadian towns.

Police said the damage was “minor” and there was no damage to the building nor injuries reported. SPVM said another arson incident by the same suspect had occurred on Aug. 22.

A 39-year-old man was arrested on Aug. 26 in connection with both arson incidents.

Police said the suspect was arrested in the area of Villeray—Saint-Michel—Parc-Extension. “Various pieces of evidence” were seized following a search of the man’s home, according to SPVM.

SPVM said it received support from the Hate Incidents and Crimes Module.

Charges against the man will be determined by the director of criminal and penal prosecutions, according to Montreal police.

Liberal MP for Mount Royal—which includes the town of Hampstead—Anthony Housefather called the flag burning an “odious act.”

In an Aug. 25 post on X, he said that it “disrespects the entire population of a country, province or city.”

Housefather added that he denounced “in the strongest of terms” the burning of the Hampstead and Israeli flags outside town hall.

The Town of Hampstead praised SPVM for the arrest, saying it was part of the police’s “outstanding work” and “close collaboration” with the town’s public security team.

“We commend their professionalism and unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our community,” the municipality said in an Aug. 27 post on Facebook.

The town’s mayor, Jeremy Levi, said the municipality raised a flag “twice the size” after the burning, saying it was “a banner of defiance, strength, and unbreakable unity.”

“They thought hate could frighten us into silence. Instead, they ignited our resolve,” Levi said in an Aug. 25 post on X.

The mayor added that “together, we are unshakable,” and said the community “will never be defeated.”

“Every attempt to tear us down only makes us stand taller,” he wrote in the post.

Jewish advocacy organization the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) said they were “pleased” that the man had been arrested.

“Any attempt at intimidation by radical individuals seeking to spread hatred in our streets must result in exemplary sanctions,” CIJA said in an Aug. 27 post on X, adding that this would allow the streets to become peaceful again.