The number of hate crimes reported to the Toronto Police Service, the capital of Ontario province, has increased by 41 percent this year from January 1 to December 17. Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw confirmed today, Tuesday, that "there is no place for hate in this city."

The rise in hate crimes coincides with the beginning of the invasion launched by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7 and the war that followed. Data published by the Toronto Police indicate that 98 hate crimes were reported between October 7 and December 17, which is 50 more crimes compared to the same period in 2022.

Since the beginning of this year, 338 hate crimes were reported to the Toronto Police Service, compared to 239 during the same period in 2022.

The Jewish community is the most targeted

It is noted that anti-Semitic crimes constitute the majority of hate crimes reported to Toronto Police this year. Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw stated today, Tuesday, that anti-Semitic crimes have increased by 211% since the war between Israel and Hamas began more than two months ago compared to the same period last year.

Demkiw released new statistics on hate crimes in the city, noting that anti-Semitism accounts for 53 percent of total reported hate crimes since October 7.

Since that date, following the conflict between Israel and Hamas, police have intensified their presence in Jewish communities and near mosques alike.

Myron Demkiw expressed his belief that the efforts made by the Toronto Police Service to be visibly present in the community "had a deterrent effect on those who were considering committing hate crimes," according to his statement.

It is noteworthy that since the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas, the Toronto Police hate crimes unit has arrested 43 people and laid 96 charges related to hate crimes.

In November, the police of a major Canadian city announced that they arrested 11 people for committing hate-motivated crimes during a demonstration in front of the "Indigo" store on Bay Street in the city center.