Another heinous act, I'm assuming perpetrated by pro-Palestinians on a Russian Jewish owned business in Toronto, that had no particular direct connection to Israel as far as I know.
Perhaps the large IDF sign over the front entrance was a hate magnet though...
Officials investigating fire at Jewish-owned deli in North York; councillors calling it hate-motivated
The Ontario Fire Marshal is investigating a fire at International Deli Foods in North York on Jan. 3, 2024, that the local councillor is calling a hate crime. The words 'free palestine' could be seen in graffiti at the back of the building. CITYNEWS/Tony Fera
By
Michael Ranger
Posted January 3, 2024 2:07 pm.
Last Updated January 3, 2024 4:10 pm.
Two Toronto councillors are calling a fire at a deli in North York a deliberate act and a hate crime.
Toronto Fire responded to a call around 6 a.m. Wednesday for a commercial fire at International Deli Foods in the area of Steeles Avenue and Keele Street.
Fire officials tell CityNews crews arrived to find smoke coming from the rear of the building. The fire was put out and no injuries were reported.
Investigators are working with police to determine the cause of the fire and say they have not ruled out that it may have been set deliberately. Toronto police confirm they remain at the scene.
Graffiti could be seen scrawled on the back of the building that reads “Free Palestine.”
A nearby business owner tells CityNews the deli is owned by a Russian Jewish family.
Coun. Mike Colle is calling the incident a “firebombing” and a “disgusting criminal act.”
“This is an attack on people because they may not be of your religion or your race,” Colle says. “This anti-Semitic violence is something that is really troubling.”
Local councillor James Pasternak said in a post on X on Wednesday the fire is “a hate motivated attack on a Jewish-owned business.”
Last month, Toronto police reported an
alarming rise in hate crimes in the city with the Jewish and Muslim communities as recurring targets.