Jewish-owned Toronto deli set ablaze in suspected antisemitic arson attack

A Jewish-owned delicatessen in Toronto was set alight yesterday in what police are investigating as a hate crime.

Firefighters were alerted to a blaze inside International Delicatessen Foods, located in the north of Canada’s largest city. No one was injured, according to Toronto media reports.

Graffiti reading “Free Palestine” had been painted on the doors of the establishment.

Officials are investigating a fire at a Jewish-owned deli in North York that two local councillors are calling a hate crime. https://t.co/55v5NAkDwO

— CityNews Toronto (@CityNewsTO) January 3, 2024

The business was named in local media as “International Deli Foods,” with a large red sign above the door reading IDF.

Toronto Police Staff Superintendent Pauline Gray says the arson attack was a crime and could not be considered a lawful protest.

“It’s criminal. It’s violent, targeted and organized. We’ll use all resources available to investigate, arrest and prosecute those who are responsible for this,” she says.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow posts on social media that “acts of antisemitism, hate and violence are not welcome here.”