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Popular kosher restaurant in Montreal destroyed in apparent arson attack
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A Montreal kosher restaurant has been destroyed in what a local MP calls an apparent arson attack.
MP Anthony Housefather says the fire at Nöam Restaurant “must be investigated as a hate crime.”
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.
Police spokesperson Raphaël Bergeron told the Montreal Gazette that someone was seen leaving the premises shortly after the fire began and the case has been transferred to the arson squad.
Firefighters were called to the blaze around 3:15 a.m., according to Bergeron. The building, which housed Nöam, which was a kosher restaurant serving Mediterranean, Italian and international dishes, sustained major damage before firefighters brought it under control.
Bergeron said investigators have yet to establish a motive.
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.”
Nöam, an incredibly popular kosher restaurant that serves Italian and Mediterranean food in Montreal, was burned down last night at 3 am.
It looks like arson, and police are investigating a possible suspect seen walking away from the scene.
We can’t say for sure the motive was… pic.twitter.com/AnBJPnCjBH
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) August 1, 2026
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.
His report was reposted on X by Montreal MP and p arliamentary secretary to the Minister of Emergency Management, Anthony Housefather.
Housefather wrote in a Saturday morning X post that he is “a bsolutely 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.”
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. https://t.co/FEgsdCr3z3
— Anthony Housefather (@AHousefather) August 1, 2026
Cohen also posted his report on Instagram .
“Arson is a crime. Antisemitism is a hate crime,” Montreal city councillor Leslie Roberts posted on X Saturday morning.
Arson is a crime.
Antisemitism is a hate crime. https://t.co/w32YD7hAnJ— Leslie Roberts 🇨🇦 (@MrLeslieRoberts) August 1, 2026
The restaurant is open every night except Friday and on Sunday for brunch, according to The Montrealer . “There are only 60 seats and reservations are strongly recommended,” it said in a recent report.
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 Côte-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.”
We are following with a great concern the events of last night and the arson of a Kosher restaurant in Côte-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. pic.twitter.com/2x3fV34ivo— Israël à Montréal (@IsraelaMTL) August 1, 2026
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.”
A suspected arson attack at a Jewish restaurant in Montreal is 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. https://t.co/xy9Fi68yHM
— Senator Leo Housakos (@SenatorHousakos) August 1, 2026
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.
Disgusted to see this attack on a local kosher restaurant. Trusting this disgraceful act will be properly investigated as a hate crime.
Montreal police investigate possible arson at kosher restaurant Nöam – Montreal Gazette https://t.co/9lTcan0gdR
— Marc Miller ᐅᑭᒫᐃᐧᐅᓃᐸᐄᐧᐤᐃᔨᐣ Mikotsikaa (@MarcMillerVM) August 1, 2026
National Post has reached out to Montreal Police for further details.
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