Police called as anti-Israel protesters disrupt student event featuring IDF speaker near Toronto university
An event sponsored by Toronto Metropolitan University student group Students Supporting Israel was disrupted Wednesday afternoon by a group of anti-Israel demonstrators who forced their way into the building.
The event was part of an annual tour where Israel Defense Forces soldiers speak on university campuses.
At approximately 2 p.m. the Toronto Police Service posted on X that officers had responded to “reports that a group of demonstrators has forced their way into a building” at Elm and Bay streets, near the TMU campus.
One person had reported injuries, states the post.
DEMO:
— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) November 5, 2025
Elm St + Bay St
1:13 p.m.
- Reports that a group of demonstrators forced their way into a building
- Police are on scene
- One person reporting injuries
- Will update when more details available#GO2324333
^lb
A female TMU student who does not wish to be identified, fearing for her safety, told NP that she was accosted as she tried to enter the event. She says a young woman was shouting at her and videoing her. She said she could not identify her assailant, as the other woman was fully masked except for her eyes.
The protest against the event was organized by another TMU student group known as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).
An Instagram post from SJP provided details about when and where to protest. The post stated: “TMU has once again allowed a registered student group to invite Zionist murderers to our city. Students will not have it.”
The National Post reached out to TMU for comment but was unable to reach anyone in the administration before publication.
The female student is supportive of SJP’s right to protest, but not in a violent manner. “It was chaos outside. The police were taking the protesters out, but they were pushing against the police to get back in.”
She did not see any arrests.
However, she wants TMU’s administration to take the violence seriously. “I would like the university to take action against these students. The SJP should not be allowed to act this way.”
Hillel Ontario represents Jewish students on university campuses.
Jay Solomon, the organization’s chief advancement officer told NP that “a lot of students came to Hillel (after the protest) with concerns for their safety.”
Since the October 7 attacks in Israel, Jewish students have faced “virulent anti-Semitism,” he says. “Jewish students need to have a safe place to learn.”
He says Hillel is calling on TMU to hold the students responsible for today’s events accountable.
An X post from Am Yisrael Chai posted late Wednesday afternoon stated that a “masked mob” stormed the private event and one person was hurt by shattered glass and several students had to be hospitalized.
None of these statements or accompanying video is verifiable at the present time.
Masked mob stormed private Toronto venue hosting TMU SSI's "Combat on Campus" event with Israeli soldiers, attacking peaceful attendees.
— Am Yisrael Chai ???????????? (@kyg_best) November 5, 2025
One guest injured by shattered glass; several students hospitalized. Nearby, SJP TMU rallied with "Zionist murderers" chants, calling to shut… pic.twitter.com/7gqkm9rAEP
A Wednesday afternoon Instagram post by a user who identifies himself as Michael Kaminisky claims to show a bleeding wrist of someone who was allegedly hurt in the protest. This video is also unconfirmed.
The post states: “Masked attackers have violently caused serious injury to soldiers who were invited as guest speakers by @ssi_tmu as a part of the annual IDF soldiers speaking on campus tour. Police are on scene and there is no current update on any arrests.”
The National Post has reached out to the Toronto Police Service for comment.
Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.