A pro-Israel gathering in Toronto descended into chaos on Wednesday as anti-Israel activists violently disrupted the event, resulting in injuries to a speaker and destruction of property. This upheaval occurred mere days after Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow’s controversial remarks about “the genocide in Gaza,” which Jewish organizations cautioned could exacerbate already high tensions within the city.

The event, organized by Students Supporting Israel at Toronto Metropolitan University and featuring Israeli military veterans, was relocated from the campus at the last minute due to security concerns. Despite the change in venue being kept under wraps, approximately 40 masked protestors discovered the location and aggressively forced their way in, shattering glass and assaulting attendees.

One of the event’s speakers, Israeli-American Jonathan Karten, who splits his time between Israel and New York, intended to share the tragic story of his uncle, Sharon Edri, an Israeli soldier kidnapped and killed by Hamas in 1996. Karten recounted to Fox News Digital how the protestors quickly turned hostile upon arrival. “We were attacked by roughly forty individuals—terrorists, whatever you want to call them,” he stated. “Five of them managed to enter the main room. One wielded a drill bit. A man broke through the glass door, I was struck in the face, and we had to barricade ourselves with tables and chairs until the police arrived.”

Karten expressed surprise at the level of organization among the protestors, noting, “They seemed to have prior knowledge of our location. They were ready and waiting for us before we even began speaking. It’s not something I expected to encounter in a civilian population in a Western country.”

He said the protesters seemed to know the location in advance. “They were waiting for us before we even started speaking,” he said. “It’s not something I assumed would happen in a civilian population in a Western country.”

The assault took place less than a week after Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said during an event that “the genocide in Gaza impacts us all.” The remark drew immediate outrage from Jewish organizations. “It’s shocking and dangerous language,” said Michael Levitt, CEO of the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, who urged Chow to apologize and clarify that Israel is not committing genocide. “Words like these validate hate and normalize the harassment of Jews,” he told 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.