TORONTO — A man was arrested at the Walk with Israel in Toronto on Sunday for allegedly “yelling anti-Semitic slurs at attendees.”
The Toronto Police Service charged Tarek Ibrahem, 57, with mischief interference with property and causing a disturbance on Sunday afternoon, according to a
The case is being led by the city’s Hate Crime Unit.
“Wilful promotion of hatred and advocating genocide are hate propaganda (hate speech) offences which require the Attorney General’s consent to lay charges. These charges are often laid at a later time,” police said. “If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.”
The
held in a predominantly Jewish neighbourhood in northern Toronto drew over 50,000 participants, many carrying Israeli and Canadian flags. The largest crowd of anti-Israel protesters was stationed at the intersection of Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue, a block shy of the walk’s endpoint at the Prosserman Jewish Community Centre (JCC). Ibrahem was arrested just south of the intersection at York Downs Drive.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) told National Post they were “deeply grateful” for the Toronto Police Service following the news of Ibrahem’s arrest.
“Regrettably, such gatherings now require extensive security measures to protect the Jewish community from threats of violence and hatred. We are deeply grateful to the Toronto Police Service and other law enforcement agencies who put themselves in harm’s way to ensure the safety of our families and loved ones,” the Canadian Jewish organization wrote the Post in a statement.
“We welcome the arrest of an individual who attended with the intent to spread hate and antisemitism. It is essential that this person be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. This is not just about protecting one community—every Torontonian deserves to feel safe and secure in our city.”
Toronto police spokeswoman Stephanie Sayer told the Post in an email on Monday morning that police cannot comment on the matter because it “is now before the courts.”
“We investigate every reported instance of hate, including those that occur at demonstrations. As we’ve shown in the past, charges can be laid at any time – days or even weeks after an incident – as evidence is gathered. We remain committed to holding individuals accountable,” Sayer added.
Ibrahem is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice on July 9.
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