World · North America · 1 hr ago
Toronto man charged after Israeli flags burned outside North York church
Toronto police say a 29-year-old man was arrested and charged over a fire involving Israeli flags in North York, Toronto.
Police allege he removed flags from outside the Word of Faith International Christian Centre near Sunrise Avenue and O’Connor Drive and set them alight at about 1 a.m.
on Oct.
7.
CBC reported that hundreds of flags were burned, while the National Post did not give a number.
The incident happened on the third anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on Israel.
The man faces charges including arson and mischief, and police say they identified him at a downtown protest three days later.
The church put out 1,200 new Israeli flags after the fire, and politicians and Jewish community representatives condemned the incident.
The charges have been laid; the sources do not describe any further court proceedings.
Toronto police say Syed Raza, 29, was arrested and charged in connection with Israeli flags being set on fire outside a North York church.
Police allege Raza removed the flags from in front of the Word of Faith International Christian Centre and set them alight on Oct. 7, 2026.
The incident took place near Sunrise Avenue and O’Connor Drive, on the third anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on Israel.
Police say they identified the suspect three days after the incident at a downtown Toronto demonstration.
The church put out 1,200 new Israeli flags afterward, CBC reported.
- Who
- Syed Raza, 29, was arrested and charged, police say.
- What
- He is accused of removing Israeli flags outside a church and setting them on fire.
- When
- The incident happened on Oct. 7, 2026. Police announced the arrest and charges on Oct. 13.
- Where
- Outside the Word of Faith International Christian Centre near Sunrise Avenue and O’Connor Drive in North York, Toronto.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Police say the flags were removed and set on fire outside the church.
Police say they identified the suspect at a downtown Toronto demonstration.
Toronto police announced that Raza had been arrested and charged.
- Suspect
- Syed Raza, 29
- Incident date
- Oct. 7, 2026
- Location
- Word of Faith International Christian Centre, near Sunrise Avenue and O’Connor Drive
- Church response
- Put out 1,200 new Israeli flags
- Charges
- Arson and mischief under $5,000; police also list mischief interfering with lawful enjoyment of property and disobeying a lawful court order
What people are saying
We will continue to stand with Israel and the Jewish people
horrific
an act of intimidation
Posts on X
Early this morning, someone set Israeli flags on fire outside a church in North York. Police are investigating it as a hate-motivated offence. Thankfully, no one was hurt. This was not a protest. It was an act of intimidation, aimed at the Jewish community and it seems,
Sources
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