Toronto police are reporting a “concerning” number of hate crimes since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.
Between October 7 and November 20, there were 78 hate crimes. That number is up from the 37 reported incidents during that same period in 2022.
Thirty-eight of the recent incidents were antisemitic in nature. There were only 13 incidents the year before.
Seventeen were Islamophobic, anti-Palestinian or anti-Arab in nature, which is up from one incident the year before.
Police are also reporting nine hate crimes targeting LGBTQ2S+ individuals during that period, which is up from five incidents the year before.
There is also a spike in hate-motivated graffiti. This includes 63 graffiti incidents that were against Muslims, Palestinians and Arab individuals (up from two during the same period in 2022).
This also includes 217 instances of antisemitic graffiti (up from 19 during the same period in 2022).
Since October 7, the Hate Crime Unit has made 25 arrests and laid 64 charges.
“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 in a release. “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.”
Between January 1 and November 20, police have responded to 323 hate crimes, which is higher than the 224 during the same period in 2022.
So far in 2023, there have been 129 antisemitic hate crimes, and 34 hate crimes targeting Muslims, Palestinians and Arab individuals.
TPS will be increasing the size of its Hate Crime Unit to include 21 investigators, eight special constables and an analyst.
For the full numbers from Toronto police, click here.
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