Toronto Police Arrest Man for Burning Israeli Flags on October 7 Anniversary

Toronto police have arrested a 29-year-old man suspected of setting fire to Israeli flags outside a church on October 7. The incident occurred early on the anniversary of the Hamas attacks. According to a police statement, the suspect faces charges including arson, property damage under $5,000, and mischief. Investigators determined that the suspect removed the Israeli flags, which were displayed outside the Word of Faith International Christian Center, and set them ablaze around 1:02 AM on October 7. Police identified and apprehended the suspect on Saturday afternoon, around 4:06 PM, during a downtown demonstration. A spokesperson for the Toronto Police confirmed that the hate crimes unit was investigating the incident shortly after it happened. This act of vandalism comes amid ongoing concerns about antisemitic violence and intimidation targeting the Jewish community in Toronto. While Toronto police reported a 50% decrease in hate crimes in 2025 compared to the previous year, with 231 incidents recorded, Jewish residents remain disproportionately targeted. Of the 99 religiously motivated hate crimes in 2025, 82% were directed against Jews, who constitute less than 3% of the city's population.