A man who participated in a pro-Palestinian protest in downtown Toronto has been arrested and charged with mischief after he allegedly ignited a smoke canister near an Israeli-owned restaurant, causing patrons to evacuate the outdoor dining area. The incident occurred on Thursday at around 6:29 p.m. in the vicinity of University Avenue and Adelaide Street West.
According to the Toronto Police Service (TPS), the demonstration involved a large crowd that momentarily halted their march in front of an establishment where customers were seated outdoors. The police report states that during this pause, a man involved in the protest lit a flare that released dense smoke, compelling patrons to leave the area.
Social media videos show a man wearing a Keffiyeh igniting the smoke canister just steps away from the patio of Café Landwer, an Israeli restaurant chain that has faced backlash for its alleged connections to the Israeli military and accusations of building a café over a Muslim cemetery. Customers were visibly affected by the smoke, with some seen rushing indoors to escape it.
As tensions escalated, one woman emerged from the restaurant to express her frustration with the police, demanding to know why they were not intervening to stop the protester. Officers were observed issuing a verbal warning to the individual who ignited the smoke canister; however, he was later arrested for his actions.
The suspect has been identified as 38-year-old Shahrez Hydri from Beeton. He faces one charge of mischief and is set to appear in court on Thursday, June 26, 2025. The demonstration coincided with May 15, a date marked by Palestinians as "Nakba," meaning "the Catastrophe." This day commemorates the expulsion of approximately 700,000 Palestinians during the 1948 war that led to the establishment of the state of Israel.
This incident highlights the heightened tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and reflects broader societal divisions regarding the issue, with protests becoming increasingly common in urban areas. The reaction from law enforcement, the protesters, and the affected patrons captures the complexities faced by communities in the wake of such demonstrations.
