Israeli flags set on fire outside North York church; Hate Crime Unit investigating
Toronto police and fire crews extinguished the blaze and are investigating it as a suspected hate crime, with no arrests reported.
- On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, Toronto Police Service officers responded to reports that Israeli flags were deliberately set on fire outside the Word of Faith International Christian Centre in North York at 1:30 a.m.
- The incident occurred on the third anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, which claimed about 1,200 lives and saw 251 people taken hostage, triggering a war that has left 74,245 people dead in Gaza.
- Toronto Fire Services extinguished the outdoor fire at 65 Sunrise Avenue, while the force's Hate Crime Unit launched an investigation into the suspected hate-motivated offense after emergency crews responded.
- Condemning the act, Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford described it as "an act of intimidation" directed at the Jewish community, stating, "Hate directed at any community is a threat to every community, and the people responsible for this need to be found and charged."
- Const. Jamie Loomans confirmed no one was injured and no arrests have been made, as authorities urge anyone with surveillance footage or information from the surrounding area to contact police.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Israeli flags reportedly burned outside Toronto church on October 7 anniversary
Subhead:Police are treating the incident as a suspected hate-motivated offence.# Toronto police are investigating a suspected hate-motivated offence after several Israeli flags were reportedly set on fire near a Christian church early Wednesday, on the third anniversary of the Hamas-led October 7 attack on Israel. Emergency crews responded around 1:30 a.m. near the Word of Faith International Christian Centre in the Sunrise Avenue and O’Connor…
Israeli flags set on fire outside North York church, police say
Toronto police are investigating after several Israeli flags were deliberately set on fire outside a North York church early Wednesday morning in an incident now being examined by the force’s Hate Crime Unit. Police say officers were called to the area of Sunrise Avenue and O’Connor Drive at approximately 1:30 a.m. after receiving reports that […]
Winnipeg Free Press
Police investigating reports Israeli flags were lit on fire in Toronto
TORONTO - Police in Toronto say they're investigating a possible hate crime after receiving reports that several Israeli flags were lit on fire early Wednesday morning.
Israeli flags set on fire in Toronto, police investigating as suspected hate-motivated attack
Police are investigating a suspected hate-motivated act following reports of several Israeli flags being set alight in Toronto on Wednesday morning. Police have said that officers were called to the area of Sunrise Avenue and O’Connor Drive in North York at approximately 1:30 a.m., which is near Word of the Faith International Christian Centre. A […]
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