Politicians are denouncing the flying of Hamas flags in the streets of Toronto at a recent protest over the weekend.
“Looking for a letter signed by 33 MPs denouncing openly flying the flag of a banned terrorist organization in the streets of Toronto,” Melissa Lantsman, deputy leader of the Conservative Party (CPC),
said in a post on X on Oct. 29, referencing an earlier letter signed by 33 MPs calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. “It can even be a tweet saying how disgusting and vile this is. It can offer support to a community frightened by this.”
Ms. Lantsman, who is one of a handful of Jewish members of Parliament, said the Toronto Police Service needed to be alerted because “this is actually illegal.”
Since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas and Israel’s subsequent declaration of war on the terrorist group, cities across Canada and around the world have seen a number of tense protests, with large groups of up to thousands denouncing Israel, and some of the incidents turning violent.
Kevin Vuong, a military reserve officer and an Independent MP, also expressed concern over the flying of certain flags at an Oct. 29 protest.
“The glorification of terrorism is a criminal offence,”
said Mr. Vuong on Oct. 29. “Hamas is a terrorist group who committed unspeakable atrocities.”
Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak also expressed concern,
stating there was a “flag of a terrorist group” flying in the city and asked what was happening to the city.
Some Liberal MPs who are Jewish also voiced concern.
The MP for York Centre and minister of Mental Health and Addictions for Ontario, Ya'ara Saks issued a
statement on Oct. 29 condemning various incidents of antisemitism against Jewish communities, stating Hamas flags were “being waved at protests today in Toronto and around the globe glorifying terror against Jews and Israelis.”
“I condemn it all—the incitement, the violence and the hate. This is a call to all of us,” she said. “Allies, law enforcement, all levels of government. We must stand up and do more.”
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather echoed Ms. Saks,
stating he agreed with her comments. “Yes we must do more. Like asking police to enforce anti-hate laws. Like demanding that university administrators crack down on antisemitism on campus or lose funding,” said the Jewish MP.
He called on Parliament to demand the return of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas terrorists into the Gaza Strip.
Conservative Senator Leo Housakos
asked on Oct. 29 how far the protests would go before section 319(1) of the Canada Criminal Code is enforced.
The section states that “everyone who, by communicating statements in a public place, incites hatred against any identifiable group where such incitement is likely to lead to a breach of the peace is guilty of an indictable offence punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment, or of a summary conviction offence.”
“Do we have to wait until we see what’s happening in Russia? Do Jews need to be hunted down and asked for their papers before police in this country do anything?” he said.
‘Could Feel the Anxiety’
According to a
report in the Toronto Sun on Oct. 29, witnesses said the pro-Palestine protest was so large and intimidating that Toronto Police warned people to leave the area as their safety could be at risk.
Mr. Vuong, who was in the area attending an earlier
rally celebrating solidarity between Israel and the people of Iran at Queen’s Park, said he “could hear fear in the officer’s voice.”
“I could feel the anxiety,” he said. He said that a mother from the rally he attended went to listen to the pro-Palestine protestors and had her Canadian flag “stomped on.”
“She was assaulted, her Kidnapped poster torn in half,”
said Mr. Vuong. He said that the woman was assaulted by individuals with their faces covered and police were trying to identify those involved.
Video from the event shows dozens of police officers forming a line in front of those at the small protest with flags that included the flag of Israel, but there appeared to be no contact between the groups.
Progressive Conservative Ontario MPP Goldie Ghamari, who also went to the Israel-Iranian people solidarity event, said that Toronto police showed up halfway through and said people should leave for their own safety. Police told the group a “mob of over 4000 people” was coming, the MPP said.
“Most left because they were afraid. Some of us stood our ground,”
said Ms. Ghamari.
