In Montreal, violent clashes occurred during an anti-NATO demonstration on Friday, resulting in arrests and ongoing protests against the actions of the police and politicians.

Moreover, Montreal Police Chief Fadi Dagher announced additional expected arrests based on new evidence collected during the protests, noting that the police know who is responsible for acts of vandalism such as breaking windows and setting cars on fire, as well as assaults on police officers.

During the demonstration, smoke bombs were deployed, metal barriers were thrown into the streets, and windows of retail shops and the center where the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meeting was held were smashed. Dagher estimates that about 800 people participated in the protests, but around 20 to 40 individuals were responsible for the chaos.

Regarding the arrests, a woman was arrested on charges of obstructing police work and assaulting an officer, along with two men accused of obstructing police work. All detainees will appear in court later.

Many politicians criticized the demonstration as anti-Semitic, which one of the organizers refuted, stressing that the protests were against the actions of the Israeli state and not against Jews. For their part, the “Investing in Palestine” group condemned what it described as “dishonest” political attempts to distort the core message of the protests, asserting that these accusations aim to undermine the solidarity movement with Palestine and deflect the attack on anti-Semitism.

Despite the escalating tensions, the police chief defended his forces' handling of the demonstration, noting that the situation could have been much worse. He also added that he would remain with his officers to support them over the weekend.