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Toronto police say a 29-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with an incident earlier this month in which hundreds of Israeli flags were lit on fire near a North York church.
A release put out by the police service alleges that the man removed Israeli flags from in front of the Word of Faith International Christian Centre at about 1 a.m. on October 7, 2026 – the third anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on Israel.
It says he then lit them on fire before leaving the scene.
Toronto police also wrote in their release that they identified the suspect three days after the incident, while he was attending a demonstration in downtown Toronto.
He’s now facing a number of charges, including arson and mischief under $5000.
Toronto Fire said the outdoor fire near Word of Faith International Christian Centre was extinguished by crews on Oct. 7, 2026. (Paul Smith/CBC)
The church, located near Sunrise Avenue and O’Connor Drive, responded in the aftermath by putting out 1200 new Israeli flags.
“We will continue to stand with Israel and the Jewish people,” said the Word of Faith’s pastor, John Ward, at the time.
The arson incident was also condemned by politicians and Jewish community representatives.
A representative of the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto called it “horrific,” while mayoral candidate Brad Bradford described it as “an act of intimidation.”
