Clashes outside Thornhill synagogue

Three arrested at event for real estate in Israel, including illegal settlements

- BEN COHEN

Tensions flared and several arrests were made as a travelling real estate expo from Israel was held Thursday at a Thornhill synagogue.

Called “The Great Israeli Real Estate Event,” the event was billed as offering attendees legal and financial advice regarding moving to Israel — or to three illegal West Bank settlements.

The event drew outrage from many, including pro-Palestinian protesters, hundreds of whom rallied at the synagogue.

The efforts of the protesters, meanwhile, in gathering at a place of worship, infuriated others, and hundreds of counterprotesters showed up at the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto (BAYT) synagogue.

Both sides brought large speaker systems and screamed duelling chants at each other.

Acoalition of police forces, including York Region and Toronto police, worked to keep them separated. But at least three people were arrested for attacking pro-Palestinian protesters. One was alleged by protesters to have used pepper spray.

The Star heard coarse, sometimes bigoted rhetoric from both sides.

The pro-Israel side chanted for “refugees” to “go back home” and “go back to Scarborough.” One said into a megaphone “You’re not Canadian, you don’t belong here.”

The pro-Palestinian side scoffed at mention of the hostages taken by Hamas in its Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. “The whole world hates you. You killed your own hostages.”

“F--k these Jews,” one protester said. Another quickly corrected him.

Protesters were seen snatching and burying Israeli flags in dirt before stomping and spitting on them. Police interrupted an attempt to burn an Israeli flag.