Canadian politicians condemn ‘anti-Semitism’, ‘anarchy’ at Montreal protests | Globalnews.ca

Canadian politicians are condemning violent anti-NATO, pro-Palestinian protests in Montreal Friday evening.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that “acts of anti-Semitism, intimidation and violence must be condemned,” and that the RCMP is in touch with Montreal Police.

The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) told Global News officers arrested three people on Friday after protestors smashed windows at a convention centre and nearby businesses, ignited smoke bombs and set two cars on fire.

A police spokesperson said one civilian and one police officer suffered minor injuries.

SPVM Chief Fady Dagher told reporters Saturday evening that he expects more arrests as alleged perpetrators are identified.

“We have a lot of investigation techniques showing us some faces, some details, so we’re going to be able to arrest more people in the next days or next weeks,” he said.

Multiple social media posts appear to show hundreds of people marching Friday evening and one person burning an effigy with “(Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu to The Hague” written on it.

The International Criminal Court just issued a warrant for Netanyahu and is based in The Hague in the Netherlands.

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“This was nothing like lawful, peaceful protest. This was anarchy,” Defence Minister Bill Blair said, speaking in Halifax.

Foreign affairs Minister Mélanie Joly added, “What we saw was not peaceful protest. What we saw was actually violence, hate and anti-Semitism. And this has no place on our streets.”

“The violent and hateful scenes we witnessed last night in the streets of Montreal, with attacks specifically targeting the Jewish community, are unacceptable,” Quebec Premier François Legault posted on X.

Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante called the violence “shocking” and thanked police for making arrests in her own social media post Saturday.

The SPVM spokesperson said officers arrested a 22-year-old woman for assaulting an officer and “impeding police work.” They also arrested a 22-year-old man and a 28-year-old man, both for “impeding police work.”

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SPVM spokesperson Veronique Dubuc also told Global protestors launched fireworks at officers.

Montreal police did not have a damage estimate yet and would not release its crowd size estimate, Dubuc said.

Two groups, Convergence of Anti-Capitalist Struggles and Divest for Palestine, organized separate marches on Friday afternoon to protest outside the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, a meeting between alliance members that is being held this year in Montreal.

Neither protest group immediately responded to The Canadian Press’ requests for comments.

Dubuc said the two groups joined together shortly after 6 p.m. near the Palais de Congrès, where the NATO meeting is taking place.

The SPVM posted on X soon after 8 p.m. on Friday that they had dispersed the crowd.

“I believe that a peaceful protest can be co-opted by anarchists who have other agendas. Those agendas were quite apparent by the activities of that mob yesterday,” Blair said, speaking on the sidelines of the Halifax International Security Forum.

The assembly, including NATO partners, is scheduled to discuss sustaining their support for Ukraine and addressing climate change.

Dagher said police will be ready to handle further protests expected throughout the weekend until the NATO assembly concludes on Monday.

This story is developing and will be updated.

With files from The Canadian Press.

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