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Montreal Erupts in Chaos During Violent Anti-Israel Protest at NATO Summit
Edited by: Fern Sidman
Three individuals were taken into custody following a violent pro-Hamas, anti-NATO demonstration in Montreal on Friday evening. Protesters clashed with police, smashed windows, and set vehicles on fire, creating a scene of chaos in the city’s downtown area. The Montreal Gazette reported that the protests coincided with a major NATO summit, drawing roughly 300 delegates from member states and partner countries to discuss Ukraine, climate change, and the future of the alliance. The timing of the unrest also aligned with the second day of widespread student-led pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the city.
Justin Trudeau refuses to condemn the anti-semitic riots in Montreal.
He has time to dance & do selfies.
But he’s too busy to condemn a violent Hamas takeover of our streets.
Not worth the chaos. pic.twitter.com/053h0NMqIW
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) November 23, 2024
According to The Montreal Gazette, the protests began around 4:30 p.m. as an initial group of demonstrators gathered at Émilie-Gamelin Parc. By 5:30 p.m., a second group convened at Place des Arts, and the two groups merged to march through downtown Montreal, specifically along St-Urbain St. The Montreal Gazette noted that tensions heightened dramatically at 6:10 p.m. when demonstrators set an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ablaze in the middle of the crowd. The protests were marked by expressions of anti-Israel sentiment, along with incidents of virulent anti-Semitism and violence dominating the event.
🇨🇦JUST IN: The Canadian Jewish community, along with millions of patriotic Canadians, are demanding the IMMEDIATE resignation of Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau, following the violent antisemitic riots that occurred last night in Montreal.
Trudeau, who has publicly threatened to… pic.twitter.com/xl1mJKpDCx
— Awesome Jew (@JewsAreTheGOAT) November 23, 2024
Protesters escalated their actions further by hurling objects—including small explosive devices and metal items—at police officers.
The Montreal Gazette detailed that the violence intensified near St-Urbain and René-Lévesque Blvd., where shop windows were shattered and two vehicles were set on fire by 6:40 p.m. In response, Montreal police employed chemical irritants and initiated crowd-dispersal maneuvers. Police spokesperson Manuel Couture told The Montreal Gazette that three protesters were arrested for allegedly assaulting officers and obstructing police work. The situation began to de-escalate by 7 p.m. as the remaining protesters dispersed.
Why are Montréal police not bringing in the riot squad?
The Pro-Palestine mob is now smashing windows at McGill University.
I have an out of box idea.
Jail if they are Canadian.
Deport immediately if they are not.pic.twitter.com/VD9hD8jPmV— sonofabench (@therealmrbench) October 7, 2024
The protest was organized by Divest for Palestine, a self-described anti-capitalist group advocating for Palestinian rights. Social media posts from the organization revealed endorsements from numerous groups, including student organizations such as Divest McGill and the Concordia Research and Education Workers Union, according to the information provided in The Montreal Gazette report. Other backers included Independent Jewish Voices Montreal and Montreal Antifa.
Friday’s protest followed heightened tensions from the previous day’s demonstrations at Concordia University, where pro-Palestinian demonstrators flooded the Hall Building and clashed with pro-Israel counter-protesters. As per The Montreal Gazette, these university demonstrations reflect a growing wave of student activism in Montreal, often intersecting with broader geopolitical issues.
Hmmmm. Why don’t we don’t see this in Egypt or Jordan or Saudi Arabia? Oh ya, it’s because they didn’t fucking let them in!! #montrealriots pic.twitter.com/wbKdoHBxUv
— Tokyo Rosie (@RosieRocks29) November 23, 2024
As reported by The Montreal Gazette, the NATO summit’s high-profile focus on Ukraine and other pressing global issues brought international attention to Montreal. However, the violent nature of Friday’s protest has raised concerns about public safety and the challenges of balancing freedom of expression with maintaining order during politically charged events. The fallout from these incidents is likely to reverberate as Montreal continues to grapple with escalating tensions and their implications for civic life.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a strong condemnation on Saturday following the violent protests in downtown Montreal. Trudeau’s comments, as reported by The Jerusalem Post, highlighted the alarming nature of the unrest.
The high-level summit addressed global security issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and climate change strategies. According to The Jerusalem Post, the protests spiraled out of control, resulting in arson, vandalism, and confrontations with law enforcement.
Prime Minister Trudeau’s statement, as cited by The Jerusalem Post, condemned both the violence and the anti-Semitic displays observed during the protest. “There is no place for anti-Semitism or violent behavior in our society,” Trudeau asserted, underlining the need for unity and dialogue in addressing global conflicts and societal divisions.
Terrorism on our streets and Trudeau doesn’t care.
Pro-Hamas riots are taking place in Montreal, meanwhile Trudeau is at a Taylor Swift concert displaying his cringe dance moves. pic.twitter.com/0wpXUgRNFa
— Canada Proud (@WeAreCanProud) November 23, 2024
The protests occurred amid heightened tensions over global geopolitics, with particular focus on Israel and NATO’s role in international security. According to The Jerusalem Post, the demonstrations have drawn attention to the polarized responses to international policy and local governance in Canada, raising questions about security measures and the limits of public protest.
🚨BREAKING: Absolute mayhem in Montreal, Canada, as pro-Hamas maniacs riot on the streets, attacking the police and terrorizing everyone.
This will only get worse. Those are all terrorists.pic.twitter.com/5TyOjthSxu
— Vivid.🇮🇱 (@VividProwess) November 23, 2024
As Montreal’s streets calm in the wake of Friday night’s unrest, Trudeau’s remarks call attention to the broader concerns about maintaining peace and safety while addressing complex global issues.
