[ad_1]Israeli flags set on fire outside North York churchToronto police have started a hate crime investigation after multiple Israeli flags were intentionally set on fire outside a church in North York early Wednesday, which coincided with the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas massacre in Israel, City News reported.Officers arrived around 1:30 a. m. following reports of burning flags near Sunrise Avenue and O'Connor Drive, just west of Victoria Park Avenue. This incident took place outside Word of Faith International Christian Centre, located at 65 Sunrise Avenue.Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and police haven't announced any arrests or shared information about possible suspects.Toronto police confirmed to City News that the Hate Crime Unit is looking into the matter.Brad Bradford, a candidate for Toronto mayor, condemned the act of burning flags as an effort to intimidate both Jewish residents and members of the Christian community.“Early this morning, someone set Israeli flags on fire outside a church in North York," Bradford said in a statement quoted by City News. “Thankfully, no one was hurt. This was not a protest. It was an act of intimidation, aimed at the Jewish community and, it seems, Christian residents right here in Toronto and at a place of worship."“Fire and hate, together, on a residential street before dawn. That’s meant to frighten people, and everyone in this city should say plainly that it has no place here."The incident also faced backlash from Jewish organizations that warned such antisemitic acts increasingly threaten individuals and institutions supporting Israel and the Jewish community.In a joint statement from the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto described the incident as an arson attack fueled by hate while emphasizing its significance given it occurred on the anniversary of October 7 massacre.“Today marks three years since October 7 - the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust - yet Toronto's Jewish community woke up to news that Israeli flags had been burned in this hate-motivated arson attack at a Christian institution.”“Faith International Christian Centre has stood with our community and with Israel. To see that solidarity met with flames is an unsettling reminder that hatred doesn’t stop with Jews. More often now those who stand by us are being targeted too,” their statement continued.“Burning Israeli flags outside a church isn’t just destroying property; it’s attacking people who’ve had enough courage to stand with their Jewish neighbors. It highlights broader radicalization Canada’s security agencies have repeatedly warned about - where lies, conspiracy theories, and hatred directed at Jews can escalate into intimidation or violence.”"We are deeply grateful to Faith International Christian Centreand congregation for their friendshipand solidarityespecially during times when standingwiththe Jewishcommunitycansetpeople apart,"theirjointstatementadded."Thisshouldbeadayofremembrance-fornearly1200murderedon October7th2023forthose takenhostageandforfamiliesforeverchangedbythatday. Instead, in Torontoweareagainfacinghatrednotonlytowards Jewsbuttowards thosewhorefuseabandonus.""Thisshouldalarmevery Canadian. Whenstandingwiththe Jewishcommunityisacommitmenttoface costs-allies areintimidatedortargetedbecause theyrefuseto turnaway-thisisnolongera Jewishproblem. It’sathreattowhatkindofcountrywe want Canada to be.""Wecallonleadersatalllevels ofgovernmenttoundeniablycondemnthisattacktorecognizethegrowingcostimposedonthosewho standwiththe Jewishcommunityand confronttheextremismthatmakesintimidationorviolencecommonplace."Sara Lefton, UJA'schiefdevelopment officer, told City Newsthatburningflagsfitswithin widerpatterns endangeringfreedomsin Canada."These attacksarenotjustagainstindividuals; theyhitour commoninstitutionsand freedomsas Canadians,"she stated.Reflectinguponthreeyears post-Hamas’October7attack, leftonsaidthat Jewish Canadiansstillfacedhostilityandintimidation."Herein Canada, we mustcombatthishatred,"leftonsaid. "Itcannotbethatwe allow Canada topullintoanationwhereflagssetuponfireoutside Christianorganizations, jewsriskbeingattackedonthe streets, and Canadiansaren'tableto livefreelyandsafely."$latestincidentfollowedaseriesofattacks targettingjewishinstitutionsandbusinessesacrossto rontoandsurroundingareas sinceoctober72023.Accordingtotoronotopolice statistics231hatecrimesrecordedin20225 representing50%decreasefromlastyear. however82%ofthe99 incidents classifiedreligiouslymotivatedwere directedagainst Jewsdespitejewis residdentsaccountingforless than3%torontopopulation." recentincidentsincludedshootingsatsynagoguesarsonattackagainstajewish grocery store removalmezuzahsfromapartmentdoorways. Inmarchshotswerefired Temple Emanu El North Yorkwhilecongregants gatheredpurimcelebrationsalthough nobodyinjuredbuilding sustained damage." Severaldayslater twoadditional synagogues Beth Avraham Yoseph Vaughan Shaarei Shomayim Toronto targeted inseparate shootingsoccurredwithin hoursofeachother." In Aprilamanallegedly attemptedentercrownorthodoxsynagogue Thornhillforce assaultedindividualbefore fleeing. thefollowing day Torontojudaicastoretargeted rockthrownthroughitswindowmarkingthirdreportedattackbusiness." In Julytwobranchesjewishownedbakerytorontoattackedapproximatelyhouroneanother.[ad_2]Source link
