Toronto Police shut off a pro-Canada demonstrator's speaker on Monday morning at Nathan Phillips Square as he played "O Canada" ahead of a Palestinian flag-raising ceremony.
The man and a small group of supporters continued to sing.
The event, organized by the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians to mark the 37th anniversary of the 1988 Palestinian Declaration of Independence, proceeded at 11 a.m. after an Ontario court dismissed a pro-Israel group's injunction bid.
The flag rose on the courtesy pole, a first for City Hall, following Canada's September recognition of Palestinian statehood.
This joins similar ceremonies across Canada. Since federal recognition, Palestinian flags have been raised at government buildings in Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Brampton, and Mississauga. Some buildings were illuminated in Palestinian colours.
Jewish groups like B'nai Brith criticized the displays as insensitive amid rising antisemitism, with a Change.org petition against Toronto's event surpassing 25,000 signatures.
Since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, Canada has faced an unprecedented surge in antisemitism, shattering records and heightening fears among its Jewish community (about 1% of the population).
B'nai Brith Canada's 2024 Audit reported 6,219 incidents—a 7.4% rise from 5,791 in 2023 and 124% since 2022—averaging 17 daily cases of harassment, vandalism, and violence, with 86% online.
Quebec saw a 216% jump to 1,651 incidents. Statistics Canada data shows hate crimes against Jews up 71% from 2022 to 2023, comprising 70% of religion-motivated attacks in 2024.
A CIJA survey found 82% of Jews feel less safe. Incidents include synagogue firebombing, school shootings, and neo-Nazi vandalism. Experts warn of normalization in politics, campuses, and society, with 31% of Ontario Jewish doctors considering emigration.