As Israel and Hamas to begin a temporary, 4-day pause in the fighting to allow for the release of hostages and humanitarian aid into Gaza, effects of the conflict have been felt and seen everywhere.

”The number of reported hate incidents and hate crimes has increased. And since October 7, increased at a staggering rate,” said Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw.

 

 

”These alarming trends in our city, our city which prides itself in our diversity, are the likes of which we have never seen before,” he added.

The chief reveals there have been 38 reports of antisemitic hate crimes and 17 anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab reports of such crimes since the Hamas surprise attacks.

However, antisemitism makes up 40% of all reported hate crimes.

There have also been 217 instances of antisemitic graffiti compared to just 19 over the same period of time.

Police received reports of 63 instances of Islamophobic or anti-Palestinian graffiti ( October 7 to November 20) compared with 2 in 2022.

The chief feels the number of hate cries is likely higher than numbers indicate as some may be hesitant to report out of fear of reprisals.

The police service’s dedicated hate crime unit has been expanded from 6 to 31.

Since October 7, it’s made 22 arrest and laid 58 charges.