The Montreal Jewish General Hospital is suspending all non-essential services tomorrow and will close its CPE due to, among other things, Hamas’s call for “acts of violence” against Jewish communities.
“As a principal, it is my responsibility to protect the safety of children. I don’t want to take any risks,” explains Erika Trantini, director of the CPE Les Frimousses of the CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest.
The facility, which cares for 80 children, usually at least one parent of whom works for the CIUSSS, announced on Thursday that it would be closed tomorrow.
The decision was made after a meeting with representatives of the Jewish General Hospital, where the CPE premises are located.
The CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest has actually suspended “all its non-essential services and all its activities” tomorrow, it says. His spokesman Carl Thériault.
“Call for acts of violence”
Mr. Thériault cites “Hamas’ call for acts of violence against Jews and Jewish institutions.”
In recent days, former Hamas leader Khaled Mashal declared that Friday would be a “day of anger” around the world and called for “jihad” to support Hamas militants who carried out unprecedented attacks last Saturday killed more than 1,200 Israelis.
This speech caused concern in the communities.
Across the United States, local and federal authorities are on high alert ahead of Friday as calls to target Jews grew online, NBC News reported Thursday.
A demonstration in support of Gaza and the Palestinians is planned for Friday evening in Montreal.
Improved security
“CIUSSS West-Central Montreal is immediately taking precautionary measures to protect its employees,” said Carl Thériault.
The facility says it has increased the presence of security guards at its various locations and will close certain entrance doors to its facilities “if necessary.”
According to Mr. Thériault, local authorities consider the threat level in Montreal to be “low”, but the CIUSSS authorities do not want to take any risks and are in contact with the Montreal City Police Department.
“Everyone understands”
According to Ms. Tarantini, parents responded positively to the announcement of the CIUSSS closure.
“Everyone understands it,” she said. I don’t know if anything will actually happen or not, but as a precaution, I think it’s better for everyone if we close.”
-With Francis Pilon