Canadian police arrested a suspect Friday morning after an overnight arson attack on a synagogue in Montreal, the latest act of violence targeting the Jewish community as antisemitism surges in Canada.

There were no injuries in the attack on Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, which suffered minor burn damage before the fire was extinguished. A window was also smashed, with the apparent aim of setting a blaze inside the synagogue.

The CBC public broadcaster identified the suspect as Steven Luu, 38. Among the charges he faces are arson and possession of incendiary and explosive materials, but is not currently suspected of a hate crime, though police said the investigation was continuing.

The synagogue was also targeted last year when a swastika was spray-painted on the building.

In an email to Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom congregants, Rabbi Lisa Grushcow decried “the scourge of antisemitism” and called for law enforcement to do more, saying that “responding requires being proactive, not reactive.”

“Naming the ways in which external conflicts are being imported. Recognizing that while criticism of Israel can be legitimate, when the Jewish state and those who love it are libeled, violence against Jews is the result,” she said. “Politicians need courage. Law enforcement needs support. Neighborhoods need good neighbors.”

. @bnaibrithcanada is horrified after an arsonist targeted Montréal's beloved @templemontreal , one of the city's oldest synagogues, in the heart of Westmount. We are in touch with community leaders  and our........

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