Beryl P. Wajsman: A Jewish restaurant has burned. It is not time to succumb to the industry of fear

The Montreal police arson squad are investigating a fire that destroyed a popular kosher restaurant in the city. Photo by (Terry Newman/Postmedia)

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Beryl P. Wajsman: Special to the National Post

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Montreal — There is a debilitating temptation within the Jewish community today to assume that every crime involving a Jewish institution must automatically be an act of antisemitism.

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The temptation is understandable. After almost two years of escalating hatred, firebombings, shootings, vandalism, intimidation and open calls for violence against Jews, no one can be faulted for being alert. Vigilance is not only justified — it is necessary.

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But vigilance is not the same as reflex.

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The arson attack that heavily damaged the Nöam kosher restaurant on Décarie Boulevard in Montreal early Saturday is a serious crime. It deserves a thorough investigation, and those responsible deserve the full weight of the law. Certainly after the attacks in on Kiva’s kosher bakeries in Toronto.

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What it does not deserve is an immediate verdict before investigators have completed their work.

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I went to the scene. I spoke with people in the neighbourhood. I spoke with contacts familiar with the investigation. The picture that emerged was far more nuanced than the one rapidly circulating on social media.

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The Montreal Police Service has assigned both its arson investigators and its hate crimes unit to the case. That is entirely appropriate. Every possible motive should be examined, including antisemitism.

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But, as of now, no motive has been established.

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According to reliable information surveillance cameras reportedly captured a lone individual walking away from the small commercial building at approximately 3:15 a.m. There were reportedly no antisemitic slogans, no graffiti, and no message claiming ideological responsibility.

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The investigation is exactly where it should be: open-minded.

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Yair Szlak, the president and CEO of Federation CJA, said that, “Federation CJA and the Security network (CSN) are closely monitoring the situation concerning the arson that took place at a Kosher restaurant in Montreal. We’re working closely with law-enforcement to understand the motive behind it. Regardless of motive, this is a terrible crime and must be punished in accordance with the law.”

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This is precisely the right approach. They are working closely with police to determine the motive while emphasizing that, whatever ultimately emerges, grave criminal offences demand prosecution. That is responsible leadership.

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I have written before that fear can become self-perpetuating. Every new incident is immediately folded into a predetermined narrative. Facts become secondary. Context disappears. The assumption becomes the conclusion.

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Ironically, that weakens rather than strengthens the fight against antisemitism. Let us not forget that in 2022 — the last year before October 7 — Canada recorded some 2,700 antisemitic incidents, according to the League for Human Rights.