Toronto police investigate suspected hate

Toronto police investigate suspected hate-motivated act after reports of Israeli flags lit on fire

Hate in community 'not just a Jewish issue,' impacts other ally groups too, says Jewish community member

Toronto police are investigating a suspected hate-motived act after it was reported several Israeli flags were lit on fire in North York early Wednesday.

Emergency crews responded at 1:30 a.m. to reports of the flags on fire near the religious facility Word of the Faith International Christian Centre around Sunrise Avenue and O'Connor Drive, Toronto police Const. Jamie Loomans said in an email to CBC News.

He said no one was injured and no arrests have been made at this time.

Toronto Fire said crews were able to extinguish the outdoor fire and that police are now investigating the case.

The incident comes on the third anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, that claimed the lives of 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. The war following that day has left some 74,245 people dead in Gaza, according to the local health ministry.

"We have had and will continue to have an increased police presence across the city for the October 7 anniversary," said Loomans.

The investigation is ongoing and is being looked at as a suspected hate-motived offence, he said.

Toronto Fire said the outdoor fire near Word of Faith International Christian Centre was extinguished by crews on Oct. 7. (Paul Smith/CBC)

Jewish community stands in solidarity with church

The Jewish community is not only mourning the innocent lives lost three years ago, but also reflecting on the rise in antisemitism in the years since, said Sara Lefton with the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.

She called Wednesday morning's incident "horrific" and that it was an example of how "the Canadian way of life" is being attacked.

"This isn't just a Jewish issue. Members of the Christian community and other allied groups, they feel under threat as well," Lefton said at a news conference.

"It's not just about antisemitism. We see that those who share our values of freedom and democracy are being targeted by extremists."

After shootings at synagogues in Toronto and Belleville, Ont. in recent months, Lefton said she knows exactly what the congregants of the church might be feeling after the fire, and that the Jewish community stands in solidarity with them.

"Our hearts go out to them. It's a horrific day for all of us," she said.

Sara Lefton with the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto said the third anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel is a reminder of the rising antisemitism experienced by the Jewish community and hate felt by allied community groups over the last few years. (Paul Smith/CBC)

Incident is 'an act of intimidation': Bradford

Mayoral candidate and City Coun. Brad Bradford called the incident "an act of intimidation" and hate in a social media post on X.

He said his thoughts are with Jewish families across Toronto and with the congregants of the Word of Faith International Christian Centre church.

"Hate directed at any community is a threat to every community, and the people responsible for this need to be found and charged," he said, adding anyone with information or video should contact police.

Mayor Olivia Chow said in a post on X marking the Oct. 7 anniversary that Toronto residents need to stand united against "rising antisemitism [and] confront it wherever it appears."

"We will continue to invest in keeping communities safe and strong and will take action until every Torontonian can practice their faith without fear," she said.

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Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw posted on X that police have increased their presence during the Jewish high holidays. He said officers are engaging with the community at places of worship, schools and community centres.

"We will continue to stand together against antisemitism to keep people safe," he said.

Premier Doug Ford also marked the anniversary on X, saying Jewish communities across Ontario and the world have seen a "troubling rise in antisemitism" in recent years.

"Our government stands firmly with Ontario’s Jewish community and has taken strong action to protect the right of everyone across our province to practise their faith freely and without fear," he said.