A pro-Israel gathering in Toronto descended into chaos on Wednesday when anti-Israel demonstrators infiltrated a private venue, resulting in injury to a speaker and property damage. This incident followed closely on the heels of controversy sparked by Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow’s recent comment referring to “the genocide in Gaza,” a statement which Jewish organizations argue could potentially heighten tensions within the city.

The event, hosted by the student organization Students Supporting Israel from Toronto Metropolitan University, featured veterans of the Israeli military and had its location moved off campus at the last moment due to safety concerns. Despite efforts to keep the venue under wraps, approximately 40 masked protesters discovered the location and forcibly entered, shattering glass and assaulting attendees.

Jonathan Karten, an Israeli-American speaker who splits his time between Israel and New York, attended the event to discuss his uncle, Sharon Edri, an Israeli soldier kidnapped and killed by Hamas in 1996. Karten recounted to Fox News Digital, “As soon as we arrived, we were confronted by around forty protesters—call them terrorists or whatever you will. Five made it into the main area. One wielded a drill bit. Someone shattered the glass door, I was struck in the face, and we had to barricade ourselves with tables and chairs until the police arrived.”

The masked pro-Palestinian demonstrators unexpectedly crashed the pro-Israel gathering in Toronto, shattering glass and attacking those in attendance on November 5, 2025.

Karten expressed surprise at the protesters’ apparent foreknowledge of the venue’s location. “They were already there before we began speaking,” he noted. “It’s not something I expected to happen in a civilian setting in a Western country.”

This violent disruption occurred mere days after Mayor Olivia Chow, during an event, remarked that “the genocide in Gaza impacts us all,” prompting swift backlash from Jewish communities. Michael Levitt, CEO of the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, criticized the mayor’s choice of words, describing them as “shocking and dangerous.” He called on Chow to retract her statement and clarify that Israel is not engaging in genocide, emphasizing, “Such language endorses hate and normalizes the harassment of Jews,” as reported by The Algemeiner.

Masked protesters violently disrupted a pro-Israel event in Toronto, breaking glass and attacking participants, Nov. 5, 2025.

According to the Toronto police statement, a group of protesters entered the private event without permission, damaged property, and caused attendees to fear for their safety. One person was injured by broken glass.

Police arrested five people in connection with the attack. All are scheduled to appear in court in January.

A Toronto police spokesperson told Fox News Digital that while antisemitic incidents remain the most frequently reported hate-motivated category in the city, they have declined 41% compared to last year.

Students try to block entrance from extremist protesters attacking an event organized by Jewish students in Toronot, Canada.

Despite his injuries, Karten said he intends to keep speaking on campuses. “We’re cautious, but not scared,” he said. “We have to make sure Jewish and Israeli voices are heard without fear.