Spike in hate crime reports in Toronto since Israel-Hamas war began: Police

Toronto’s police chief says there’s been a “staggering” increase in hate crime reports in the city since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas last month.

Chief Myron Demkiw says there have been 38 reports of anti-Semitic hate crimes and 17 anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab hate crime reports since Oct. 7.

Speaking at a Toronto Police Services Board’s meeting today, Demkiw says the city is experiencing a period high tensions.

READ MORE: Temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas to begin Friday morning

He says the force has expanded its hate crimes unit since the Israel-Hamas war began, increasing it in size from six members to a team of 32 officers.

Demkiw says Toronto police have made 22 arrests and laid 58 charges related to hate crime incidents in the past month.

The most common charges include uttering threats, conspiracy to commit mischief and assault with a weapon.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 23, 2023.