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Toronto police arrest man suspected of hate crime for vandalism of menorah

“The accused was identified as a result of tips received from the public,” police said.

Toronto Police Car
Credit: Toronto Police Service.

Toronto police officers arrested a 48-year-old man, who allegedly committed a hate crime by vandalizing a large menorah outside a Jewish community center, the Toronto Police Service said on Tuesday.

Jeffrey Johnston was charged with mischief to property under $5,000 Canadian, or about $3,500, for allegedly knocking the menorah down on April 10.

“The accused was identified as a result of tips received from the public,” police said.

“American higher education institutions should not participate in discriminatory boycotts targeting Israel or any other American ally,” said Kenneth Marcus, CEO and chairman of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law.
“I won’t let this happen!!!” tweeted Knesset Member Limor Son Har-Melech.
“The story was one of saving the Jewish people and standing up to one of the world’s largest antisemites, who was trying to use political machinations to destroy us,” Rabbi Steven Burg of Aish told JNS.
“I wouldn’t let Zohran Mamdani get away with the virulent antisemitic comments he’s made,” he said. “I would tell him to stop and if he didn’t, I would take action, which the governor has the power to do.”