Housefather told National Post that the arson is “a horrific tragedy” for the owners who had invested heavily in the restaurant, as well as the local community and everyone who were regular patrons.<\/p>\n
Police spokesperson Rapha\u00ebl Bergeron told the Montreal Gazette<\/a> that someone was seen leaving the premises shortly after the fire began and the case has been transferred to the arson squad.<\/p>\n Firefighters were called to the blaze around 3:15 a.m., according to Bergeron. The building, which housed N\u00f6am, which was a kosher restaurant serving Mediterranean, Italian and international dishes, sustained major damage before firefighters brought it under control.<\/p>\n Bergeron said investigators have yet to establish a motive.<\/p>\n The aftermath of an apparent arson that destroyed a popular kosher restaurant in Montreal.<\/p>\n The fire was captured in video posted to X by Montreal resident and senior fellow at the Tel Aviv Institute, Hen Mazzig. He wrote that police “are investigating a possible suspect seen walking away from the scene. We can’t say for sure the motive was antisemitic yet, but the signs certainly suggest it.”<\/p>\n Earlier Saturday, Montreal newspaper columnist and city councillor Mike Cohen reported on X “(w)hat can only be described as a major hate crime” at the popular Montreal kosher restaurant. It has “been burnt the ground,” Cohen said.\u00a0<\/p>\n His report was reposted on X by Montreal MP and parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Emergency Management, Anthony Housefather.<\/p>\n Housefather wrote in a Saturday morning X post that he is “absolutely disgusted to see what appears to be an arson attack on a local kosher restaurant overnight. This attack on a Jewish own business must be investigated as a hate crime & those involved in this criminal act must be caught & prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”<\/p>\n Cohen also posted his report on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Arson is a crime. Antisemitism is a hate crime,” Montreal city councillor Leslie Roberts posted on X Saturday morning.<\/p>\n The restaurant is open every night except Friday and on Sunday for brunch, according to The Montrealer<\/a>. “There are only 60 seats and reservations are strongly recommended,” it said in a recent report.<\/p>\n The Montreal police arson squad are investigating a fire that destroyed a popular kosher restaurant in the city.<\/p>\n This Israeli consulate in Montreal wrote in a Saturday post on X that it is “following with a great concern the events of last night and the arson of a Kosher restaurant in C\u00f4te-des-Neiges. A direct attack on a Jewish owned business. We call the authorities for a quick and serious investigation, and prosecution of those responsible.”<\/p>\n Quebec Senator Leo Housakos wrote on X early Saturday afternoon about the arson as “deeply disturbing. While the investigation is ongoing, it’s no wonder so many Jews feel increasingly unsafe in the very city they helped build. Antisemitism has indeed found a home in Canada.”<\/p>\n Federal minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Official Languages, Marc Miller also called for “this disgraceful act will be properly investigated as a hate crime” in an X post on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n National Post has reached out to Montreal Police for further details.<\/p>\n Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com<\/a> and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/national_post_articles_198\/c59717b8eb0c40a198c7f3670d79c8a7.jpeg\"\/)
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