Toronto Police Searching for Suspect in Alleged Assault of Woman Holding Image of Israeli Hostage

Toronto Police released this image of a man wanted after a woman was allegedly assault in the area of College Street and University Avenue on Oct. 29, 2023. Courtesy of Toronto Police Service

Toronto police are searching for a man wanted in connection with an assault on a woman who was confronted while holding a Canadian flag and an image of an Israeli hostage.

The incident happened in the area of University Avenue and College Street on Oct. 29, according to a police news release.

The female victim was standing on the sidewalk “observing a demonstration,” police said.

At the time, she was holding a Canadian flag and a poster of an Israeli hostage when the suspect and four or five other men surrounded and yelled at her, the release said.

The suspect then punched the woman, ripped up the poster, and stomped on her Canadian flag, according to police reports.

The man then took off, police said.

He has been described as 40 to 60 years old, five feet nine inches tall, wearing a black coat, blue baseball hat, and a blue medical mask. Police have released a photo of the man.

“This investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence,” the release said.

Rise in Hate Crime: Toronto Police

Toronto police say they’ve been receiving more “hate-crime” related reports since war broke out between Israel and Hamas on Oct. 7, after Hamas conducted a surprise attack, killing 1,200 and taking over 200 hostages.

In response, Israel began military actions against Gaza, where Hamas has ruled after overthrowing the previous government in 2007.

On Nov. 24, a temporary ceasefire was negotiated between Israel and Hamas. As part of the agreement, Israeli hostages were released and Israel released Palestinian prisoners in exchange.

“The impacts of the events in the Middle East on Toronto are ongoing, including a concerning rise in reported hate crimes,” Toronto police said in a media release.

Police said there have been 78 hate crimes reported in Toronto between Oct. 7 and Nov. 20, compared with 37 reported for the same time in 2022.

“Among all of the hate crimes reported between October 7 and November 20, 2023, 49 percent have been anti-Semitic,” the release said.

In relation to the reports, there have been 25 arrests and 64 charges laid.

Toronto police have increased the number of officers in the Hate Crime Unit from six to 21, and to eight special constables by temporarily reassigning officers from other areas to prioritize these investigations.

“The impact of crime motivated by hate is far-reaching, and extends beyond the physical and emotional trauma suffered by the victim, but affecting all members of the targeted community,” said Chief Myron Demkiw.

“I want to be clear—the Toronto Police Service will not allow the people of our city to be intimated. Violence and hateful acts will not be tolerated. The Service and our Hate Crime Unit will aggressively pursue any suspected incidents of hate-motivated behaviour.”