A 20-year-old Montreal man who pleaded guilty to setting fire to a synagogue and damaging a nearby Jewish community center was sentenced on Sept. 10 to two years in prison followed by three years of probation.
Mohamed Ilyess Akodad was sentenced by Quebec Court Judge Karine Giguère for the Dec. 18, 2024, attack on Congregation Beth Tikvah in Dollard-des-Ormeaux and damage to a nearby Federation CJA facility.
B’nai Brith Canada said Akodad pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges arising from the attacks. The organization welcomed the sentence, saying it demonstrated that attacks against Jewish institutions would be taken seriously.
The case stems from an early-morning attack in which Akodad broke windows at the Federation CJA facility before going to Beth Tikvah, where he smashed windows, used an accelerant, and started a fire.
Congregation Beth Tikvah after it was firebombed during 2024 (The Canadian Jewish News).
No deaths were reported, but the attack caused damage to the synagogue and heightened concerns among members of Montreal’s Jewish community.
During sentencing proceedings, Akodad told the court he had been offered $15,000 to carry out what he described as a “mission” involving two buildings and a vehicle. He said he was recruited by an unidentified man and ultimately received $3,000.
Akodad testified that he had consumed drugs before carrying out the attacks and said he did not know the buildings were Jewish institutions.
According to an account of the proceedings published by the Canadian Association of Experts and Freedom, Akodad said he was first taken to the Federation CJA facility, where he broke windows but abandoned plans to start a fire after becoming frightened by a passerby.
He was then taken to Beth Tikvah, where he broke windows with a hammer and started a fire using an accelerant.
Photo by The Suburban’s Chelsey St-Pierre
Akodad said he only learned afterward that one of the buildings was a synagogue.
The Crown sought a two-year custodial sentence, while the defence sought a community-based sentence.
B’nai Brith Canada submitted a community impact statement to the court outlining the effect of the attack on Montreal’s Jewish community. The organization said the statement was referenced during sentencing.
B’nai Brith regional director Paola Samuel said the sentence held Akodad accountable for the damage caused.
The case comes amid broader concerns about attacks against Jewish institutions in Montreal and elsewhere in Canada. B’nai Brith Canada cited several other incidents involving Jewish institutions in Montreal in 2026, including an attempted fire at Temple Emanu-El in Westmount.
The organization said the frequency of such incidents made the court’s response significant.
The sentencing resolves the criminal case against Akodad arising from the Beth Tikvah attack. However, his testimony about being recruited and paid to carry out the attacks does not establish the identity or criminal responsibility of any alleged organizer.
Akodad will serve the custodial portion of his sentence before beginning three years of probation.
Read More: Montreal synagogue firebomber sentenced to two years