The Montreal City Police Department (SPVM) immediately contacted the leaders of the Islamic and Jewish communities in Montreal following the outbreak of events between the Palestinian Hamas movement and Israel on October 7.

In an interview with Radio Canada International (RCI), Fadi Dagher, director of the Montreal City Police Department (SPVM), confirmed that since the beginning of the events [in the Middle East], we knew it was going to be long-term, and it would ignite deep pain in both communities.

"Thus, several meetings were organized with the presence of the director of the Montreal City Police (SPVM) and his assistants. The leaders told us about a tremendous feeling of fear and anxiety within their communities for their loved ones there [in Gaza and Israel]," Dagher explained.

Concerns then arose about the implications of the conflict on these communities in Canada, which could lead to acts of hatred or violence.

Dagher also clarified that the police would not only be present at demonstrations supporting Palestinians or Israelis.

Community centers in areas with a strong presence of these communities [Arab, Muslim, or Jewish] engaged with their leaders to know about important events, such as prayers, and to enhance their visibility.

Just a few days after the hostilities began in the Middle East, the Montreal City Police Department (SPVM) issued a press release stating that it takes the situation seriously and is implementing proactive measures, even though at this time, there is no information indicating imminent acts of violence or threats in Montreal.

Also in the police service post, the public is invited to review the website created by SPVM which explains how to recognize an incident or hate crime and the procedure to follow to report it.

This approach was welcomed by the Canadian Jewish Community Council (CCJ), which requested more patrols and a well-defined plan from the Montreal City Police Department (SPVM) to enhance the safety of our community during this difficult time.

"Montreal police are doing excellent awareness work and are in contact with both communities, Jewish and Muslim," said Canadian Islamic Forum president Samer Majdoub in an interview with Radio Canada International (RCI).

Mr. Majdoub views that Islamophobia is witnessing a rise that we have not seen even in the day following the September 11 attacks [2001].

For his part, Kalman Emmanuel confirmed that although we have seen some scattered incidents of hate acts and hate crimes against members of the Jewish community, we would like to commend the Montreal City Police Department (SPVM) for their speed and effectiveness in these cases.

Mr. Emmanuel encouraged anyone who witnesses or faces such incidents to call 911 immediately.