Two GTA men face hate crime charges after allegedly waving flags belonging to a terror group at last week’s Toronto anti-Israel protest.
According to Toronto police, two men were spotted waving flags belonging to Hezbollah, a Lebanese terror organization currently at war with Israel.
The two men were reportedly told by officers to stop waving the flags, as they threatened to disrupt public peace, but police say the men ignored the warnings.
Concern over the size of the crowd prompted police to disengage, but the investigation apparently continued.
On Wednesday, police arrested Ahmad Sheikhani of Oakville, and Hamad Khalid Menshed of Mississauga, and charged them with public incitement of hatred.
Both men are 34 years old, and scheduled to next appear in court on Nov. 14.
Hezbollah is listed as a terrorist organization by the Canadian government.
“Our expanded Hate Crime Unit continues to investigate every reported instance of hate, including the presence of flags that promote terrorist organizations, as identified by Public Safety Canada,” said Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw in a statement.
“Charges can be laid at any time — whether it’s hours, days, or even weeks after an incident, including those that take place at demonstrations.”
Toronto police have come under intense scrutiny for an ostensibly permissive atmosphere surrounding the spike in public hatred and anti-Semitism in the city since the Oct. 7 attacks. Most prominent were Toronto police officers delivering coffee to anti-Israel demonstrators occupying the Avenue Rd. 401 overpass.
As well, Demkiw said during a press conference on Wednesday that police have only made 72 protest-related arrested over the past year.
Flags of terror organizations have made regular appearances at these protests, alongside the anti-Semitic and anti-Israel signs and slogans that have become commonplace.
Toronto police used Wednesday’s press conference to outline their plans to keep Toronto’s Jewish community safe, as anti-Israel activists plan to commemorate the upcoming anniversary of the Oct. 7 terror attacks with celebrations and demonstrations.
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