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.

Toronto Fire said crews were able to extinguish the outdoor fire at 65 Sunrise Avenue, which is the address for the Word of Faith International Christian Centre.

A police spokesperson confirmed to National Post that the incident is currently being investigated by TPS’ Hate Crime Unit. There were no reported injuries and no arrests have been made at this time.

It comes on the third anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto issued a joint statement on Wednesday, calling the incident “disturbing.”

“Faith International Christian Centre has stood with the Jewish community and with Israel. To see that solidarity answered with fire is a disturbing reminder that hatred does not stop with Jews. Increasingly, those who stand beside us are being targeted too,” the statement read.

It went on to say that CIJA and UJA are “deeply grateful” for the “friendship and solidarity” from the Faith International Christian Centre, and calls on leaders at every level of government to condemn the attack and “confront the extremism that is making intimidation and violence increasingly commonplace.”

“When simply standing with the Jewish community carries a cost — when allies are intimidated, threatened, or attacked because they refuse to turn away — this is no longer only a Jewish problem,” the two organizations said. “It is a threat to the kind of country we all want Canada to be.”

Meanwhile, mayoral candidate and city councillor Brad Bradford commented on the incident in North York on social media, describing it in a post on X as “an act of intimidation.”

Early this morning, someone set Israeli flags on fire outside a church in North York. Police are investigating it as a hate-motivated offence. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

This was not a protest. It was an act of intimidation, aimed at the Jewish community and it seems,… https://t.co/0bKTE7mSM4

— Brad Bradford (@BradMBradford) October 7, 2026

“I’m thinking today of Jewish families across Toronto who have spent 3 years watching this kind of thing move closer to their homes, their schools and their synagogues, and who are tired of being told it’s being taken seriously while it keeps happening,” he wrote.

“Hate directed at any community is a threat to every community, and the people responsible for this need to be found and charged,” Bradford added.

Mayor Olivia Chow said in a statement marking the Oct. 7 anniversary: “I will never waver on my commitment to the safety of Jewish Torontonians.”

“We will continue to invest in keeping communities safe and strong and will take action until every Torontonian can practice their faith without fear,” she added.

And Toronto Police said in a statement regarding the Oct. 7 anniversary that there will be “an increased police presence today and in the coming days,” including at synagogues and other places of worship.

“We remain committed to working with communities across Toronto, addressing hate, and ensuring people are safe,” the statement continued.

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