A pro-Israel gathering in Toronto became violent on Wednesday after anti-Israel activists forced their way into a private venue, causing harm to one speaker and property damage. This incident occurred just days after Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow drew criticism for her characterization of “the genocide in Gaza,” a comment that Jewish organizations cautioned could escalate tensions within the city.
The event, arranged by the student group Students Supporting Israel at Toronto Metropolitan University and featuring Israeli military veterans, was relocated off-campus at the last minute for safety reasons. Despite efforts to keep the location discreet, approximately 40 individuals discovered the venue and pushed their way in, shattering glass and assaulting attendees.
Jonathan Karten, an Israeli-American speaker who divides his time between and New York, stated he traveled to Toronto to speak with students regarding his uncle, Sharon Edri, an Israeli soldier abducted and killed by Hamas in 1996. “Upon our arrival, we were assaulted by roughly forty demonstrators—terrorists, or whatever term you prefer,” he informed Digital. “Five managed to breach the main room. One possessed a drill bit. A person shattered the glass door, I was struck in the face, and we used tables and chairs to barricade ourselves until law enforcement arrived.”
He indicated that the demonstrators appeared to have prior knowledge of the venue’s whereabouts. “They were awaiting our arrival even before our presentation commenced,” he remarked. “This is not something I anticipated occurring among a civilian populace in a Western nation.”
The assault transpired less than a week after Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow commented during an event that “the genocide in Gaza impacts us all.” This statement provoked immediate strong disapproval from Jewish groups. “It represents startling and perilous language,” commented Michael Levitt, CEO of the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, who pressed Chow to apologize and specify that Israel is not committing genocide. ” and render normal the harassment of Jews,” he conveyed to The Algemeiner.
Based on the Toronto police statement, entry was gained into the private event without authorization, property sustained damage, and participants were led to fear for their safety. An individual was hurt by broken glass.
Law enforcement apprehended five individuals in relation to the assault. All are slated for a court appearance in January.
A Toronto police representative informed Digital that while antisemitic occurrences persist as the most commonly reported hate-motivated classification in the city, they have decreased by 41% relative to the previous year.
Notwithstanding his injuries, Karten expressed his intention to continue speaking at universities. “We exercise caution, yet we are not intimidated,” he stated. “It is imperative that Jewish and Israeli perspectives are articulated without apprehension.