Antisemitic Attacks in Montreal Condemned by Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 17, 2011) - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) condemns the racist attacks on four synagogues and a Jewish Day School in Montreal and calls upon Montreal and Quebec leaders to rally behind the Jewish community.

"Now is the time for leaders of all political, religious and ideological stripes to come together in a show of unity for the Jewish community of Montreal and for Jews across the country," said Avi Benlolo, a prominent Canadian human rights activist and President and CEO of FSWC. "The hatred displayed by these actions can be countered by a strong show of support and a determination to prevent the seeds of antisemitism from taking root in Quebec," he added.

FSWC notes this attack provides an opportunity to change the tone of discourse in Quebec and to reaffirm the outstanding contributions of the Jewish community of Montreal to the province.