In response to the conflict in Israel and Gaza, the City of Toronto and the Toronto Police Service are emphasizing their commitment to inclusivity, particularly around places of worship.

There has been a significant increase in hate-related calls to the Toronto police, with 14 hate crimes reported, most of which were anti-Semitic. The Toronto Police Service Board and city council strongly condemn all forms of hate. Measures, including community safety zones, are being put in place to protect places of worship and cultural centres.

Police Chief Myron Demkiw emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy for acts of violence and hate. Hate-motivated incidents have increased, with both Jewish and Muslim communities affected.

A spokesperson for the National Council of Canadian Muslims reports a significant spike in hostility towards the Muslim community. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs notes an increase in hate crimes against the Jewish community. Notably, there was an incident last week in which two teens and a man in his 20s were charged in a hate-crime investigation after threats were allegedly directed towards a Jewish high school in North York. Markham Public Library also apologized last week for temporarily removing Islamic Heritage Displays at their branches.

There’s a concern about a surge in anti-Semitism in Canada due to the current unrest. The police chief will assist in creating an anti-hate information package for community organizations, including safety measures and how to report hate crimes.