3 men arrested for allegedly threatening Jewish high school, community

Toronto police have arrested three men, and its hate crime unit is investigating after threats were directed towards a Jewish high school in North York.

Authorities were called to the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto (CHAT) just after 12:30 p.m. after reports were circulating online regarding threats.

Toronto police said three males were at the school and were told by security to leave the property. A short time later, threats were allegedly made “against the Jewish community” and directed toward a group of students at a nearby plaza.

Officers were able to track the three men down and arrested them. The hate crime unit is now looking into the incident.

Head of school Jonathan Levy said CHAT never went into lockdown and classes continued. He noted that the school will remain open on Friday with enhanced security measures in place.

Reported online threats not substantiated: UJA Federation

In an email from the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, a spokesperson wrote that the online reports of attempted stabbings and violent acts are inaccurate.

“Police informed us that no one has been injured and no attempted stabbing has taken place. Verbal threats were made, and police are now on the scene, including Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw,” the spokesperson wrote. “An investigation of the involved parties is currently underway, with possible charges pending.”

The UJA said staff at CHAT reacted quickly and informed the police, leading to the three arrests.

“Prior to this incident, we have been meeting and speaking throughout the day with law enforcement in Toronto and York Region about reports of Hamas’ call for a ‘day of mobilization’ around the world,” the UJA added.

“Our commitment to you is clear: we are directly conveying our community’s concerns and expectations to the police. And we are sharing the information and guidance we receive from police with our entire community.”

Toronto police arrested two students at a Scarborough high school after a student was stabbed and injured near school property. Officials said the incident is unrelated and not being investigated as a hate crime.

Hamas’ assault on Saturday killed more than 1,300 people in Israel, including 247 soldiers — a toll unseen in Israel for decades — and the ensuing Israeli bombardment has killed more than 1,400 people in Gaza, according to authorities on both sides.

Israel says roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were killed inside Israel, and hundreds of the dead in Gaza are Hamas members.