Jewish dad savagely beaten in front of his kids by attacker who tossed his yarmulke
Horror footage of the attack on Friday afternoon saw the 32-year-old victim, who has not been named, sprawled out on the sidewalk as a man rained down punches to his head and body.
One of the victim's children could be seen clinging to his father, crying out for help as he tried to shielded them both from the blows.
The beating unfolded in broad daylight in the Montreal borough of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension.
Once the assault was over, the attacker cooly stood up to gather their belongings and placed them into a red shopping bag.
A second child can be seen rushing into view to help their father, while in a final act of contempt, the assailant hurls the victim's yarmulke into a nearby fountain.
It's not clear what sparked the attack, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney leading condemnations of the 'appalling act of violence' against the Jewish father.
Police say they responded to a 911 call at 2:45pm but the attacker had fled before officers arrived.
Const. Caroline Chèvrefils, the police chief for the province, confirmed the authenticity of the footage and said the victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries. 'The reason for the assault is not yet known,' Chèvrefils said.
Carney took to X as footage of the attack swept social media, writing: 'Everyone in Canada has an inalienable right to live in safety.
'My thoughts are with the victim and his family as they recover, and my support is with law enforcement as they work to bring the perpetrator to justice.'
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante described the attack as 'troubling', while Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi, who posted the video online, went further issuing a blistering statement.
'This is beyond deplorable - it is an outrage against basic human decency. In the heart of Montreal, a Jewish father is savagely beaten in front of his children.
'This is the Canada that Mark Carney has allowed to fester - a place where weakness in leadership has emboldened brutality. Hampstead made a different choice long ago.
'We refused to bow to complacency. We increased our Public Security budget by 50%, ensuring we are ready, capable, and unwilling to depend on politicians who lack the courage to protect their own citizens. We will defend our people - every time, without apology.'
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs echoed those concerns, calling on authorities 'to hold the attacker accountable' and warning leaders at all levels to 'confront this dangerous escalation.'
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