A violent confrontation unfolded at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) on November 5, 2023, when an IDF soldier, Jonathan Karten, intervened to remove a group of protesters from a pro-Israel student event. The incident, which has garnered significant media attention, resulted in multiple injuries and arrests.
Karten, a 29-year-old who has been informally dubbed “Obelix” by friends for his physical strength, was attending a meeting organized by Students Supporting Israel (SSI) featuring two IDF soldiers sharing their experiences following the October 7 attacks. As the gathering began, approximately a dozen masked protesters associated with the university’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) disrupted the event, leading to chaos inside the venue.
Three individuals sustained injuries during the skirmish, and five people were arrested on charges including forcible entry and assaulting a police officer. Witnesses described the scene as overwhelming, with protesters shouting and pushing against a small group of students. Karten, who faced physical confrontations including being hit in the face, managed to eject multiple trespassers, demonstrating significant courage during the altercation.
Reflecting on the incident, Karten attributed his resilience to the memory of his uncle, Sharon Edri, an IDF soldier who was killed by Hamas terrorists in 1996. Karten expressed a sense of purpose, stating, “Thank God no one was fatally injured. This altercation… ultimately helped us, because we were able to get our message out to a wider audience, which was our initial intent.”
The protestors, some wearing keffiyehs and chanting slogans such as “Free free Palestine!” attempted to disrupt the meeting despite the organizers’ efforts to maintain privacy. Ethan, a 22-year-old SSI vice-president, noted that the gathering was meant to be a safe, private discussion for students interested in the Israeli perspective.
As the situation escalated outside the venue, police were called to manage the crowd and ensure safety. Cards and furniture were used as makeshift barricades by the students, who feared for their safety as intruders pressed against the windows. Hope, a 20-year-old student present during the incident, described the ongoing fear she felt, stating, “More and more kept appearing… they weren’t in our space anymore.”
In the aftermath of the confrontation, TMU has faced scrutiny regarding its handling of campus protests and the safety of its students. The incident occurred shortly after Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow made controversial remarks at a Muslim-sponsored event, accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. This rhetoric has been criticized as inciting further unrest, with figures like Ben Mulroney suggesting a direct link between such statements and the escalation of tensions on campus.
The Canadian government has also faced backlash regarding its stance on Israel. Mark Carney, the Liberal Prime Minister, has been accused of betraying Israeli interests following a statement indicating he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he entered Canada, in line with an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.
The TMU incident is part of a broader pattern of antisemitic violence and vandalism that has surged across Canada in recent years. Rabbi Joe Kanofsky of Toronto Kehillat Shaarei Torah highlighted a lack of government condemnation for these hate crimes, stating, “Unequivocal condemnation… has to come from the government leadership and every sector of society, and so far it has not.”
Jesse Primerano, executive director of the pro-Israel advocacy group StandWithUs Canada, remarked that the attack did not surprise them, citing the university’s failure to address antisemitism on campus effectively. “Students for Justice in Palestine has a long history of violent and disruptive behaviour on campus, and they’re not being held accountable by the universities,” he noted.
As discussions continue regarding the implications of this event, it remains clear that the atmosphere surrounding pro-Israel events in Canada is increasingly fraught with tension. The TMU confrontation serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by communities navigating heightened political and social divisions.
