MONTREAL — During the Montreal Pride Parade on August 10, members of two Jewish organizations, Ga’ava and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), were reportedly struck by balloons filled with a liquid that attendees described as smelling like urine. The incident occurred despite a significant police presence at the event.
A participant, identified only as Adam, recounted the experience to the Montreal Gazette, stating, “While my back was turned, I felt something hit me on my left side that was wet. At first, I thought it was water, and then the smell hit.” He confirmed seeing a balloon on the ground and noted that two other individuals were also struck by the offensive projectiles.
This is beyond disgusting. At Fierté Montréal, the so-called celebration of “inclusion,” people were hurling balloons filled with urine at the Jewish group. This wasn’t pride — it was pure hate on public display. Anyone who proudly posted their selfies from that event should take… pic.twitter.com/unq6ACV3uU
— Mayor Jeremy Levi (@jerlevi) August 10, 2025
Montreal police confirmed that a 35-year-old woman was arrested at the scene for armed assault following the incident. However, authorities have not publicly confirmed the exact nature of the liquid used in the attack.
This event follows a series of controversies surrounding the participation of Jewish groups in the parade. Initially, organizers of Fierté Montréal announced a ban on Ga’ava and CIJA, citing their opposition to a “zero-tolerance policy for hate speech and incitement to violence.” The decision was later reversed after public outcry and political pressure, including a letter signed by five members of parliament.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from various communities. The Simon Wiesenthal Center called for justice, emphasizing that such acts of hatred have no place in Canadian society. Additionally, the Jewish community in Montreal has expressed concerns about the increasing visibility of antisemitic actions, even within events that purport to celebrate inclusion.
This article is based on verified information from The Jewish Chronicle, Israel Hayom, World Israel News, Juno News, and The Canadian Press.