Toronto, Canada — A violent clash erupted Wednesday afternoon during an event organized by Jewish students at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) when a group of masked protesters invaded the venue, resulting in property damage and injuries among attendees.
The event, held off-campus by Students Supporting Israel (SSI), featured Israeli soldiers discussing their experiences in Gaza. Just before the program began, police reported that demonstrators forcibly entered the building, causing a scene of chaos that left at least one person injured from shattered glass.
Footage released on social media captured students barricading themselves inside a room as glass shattered around them. SSI described the incident on Instagram as “absolute chaos,” contending that their attempt to host a dialogue was met with violence purely because of their identity as Jewish individuals. They alleged that Students for Justice in Palestine at TMU (SJP TMU), which staged a nearby protest urging attendees to “shut down the event,” played a significant role in inciting the unrest.
Prior to the disturbance, SJP TMU had announced on social media plans to disrupt the SSI event, labeling the participants as “Zionist war criminals” and encouraging supporters to show up and oppose the gathering.
Toronto Police confirmed that five individuals were arrested and face various charges, including forcible entry and assaulting a peace officer. The suspects, aged 21 to 29, are scheduled to appear in court in January. Investigators from the department’s Hate Crimes Unit are currently reviewing video evidence for possible further charges.
Deputy Chief Rob Johnson reported to the Toronto Police Services Board that some protesters obstructed officers during the incident, adding that one individual assaulted a police officer while trying to resist arrest. He noted that while five people were apprehended, others remain at large.
Rabbi Aaron Greenberg, director of the Orthodox Union’s Seif Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus, was present during the escalation and accompanied students to the event. He expressed concern over the apparent lack of strong leadership from the university, stating, “When you don’t take a strong stance, this is what happens—unfortunately, this is a result of weak leadership.”
In response to the incident, TMU released a statement expressing deep concern and condemning any acts of violence or intimidation that deviate from the institution’s values. The university emphasized its commitment to student safety and indicated that it would respond as appropriate to the situation.
Jessica Leach, TMU’s media relations manager, clarified that the event was not university-sanctioned and reaffirmed the institution’s dedication to providing support for students affected by the violence. She reiterated that any controversial campus events now require detailed safety planning well in advance to mitigate risks.
Jewish organizations across Canada swiftly condemned the violence. Hillel Ontario stated the incident stemmed from SJP TMU’s explicit calls to disrupt the event and urged the university to take immediate action against those responsible. Similarly, the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center expressed alarm at what it described as a “violent antisemitic assault,” calling for accountability and action against such hatred.
Allied Voices for Israel highlighted reports of harassment faced by its student ambassadors during the confrontation, demanding zero tolerance for such aggression based on one’s identity. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs called for greater accountability from leaders, asserting that the conditions for Jewish students in Canada warrant urgent attention.
At a police board meeting, Chief Myron Demkiw addressed the incident as part of a troubling pattern of rising antisemitism in the city. He reaffirmed the police service’s commitment to combat hate and ensure that all communities feel safe.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident, with the possibility of additional charges as they gather more evidence.