Toronto police investigate reports Israeli flags were burned

Toronto police are investigating reports that several Israeli flags were set on fire early Wednesday near Sunrise Avenue and O’Connor Drive, with the force’s Hate Crime Unit handling the case. Police reported no injuries and said no arrests had been made. The circumstances, those responsible and any motive have not been established. Officers were called to the area at about 1:30 a.m., police said. The location is near Word of the Faith International Christian Centre in Toronto. The reports do not establish whether the flags were on the centre’s property or identify who may have set them alight. Coun. Brad Bradford, a mayoral candidate, described the incident on social media as an act of intimidation and said those responsible should be found and charged. His comments came as the city marked the third anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The reported flag burning is being investigated as a possible hate crime, but that classification has not been confirmed as a finding. Police have not announced suspects, arrests or further details about the evidence gathered.