Toronto man charged with arson after Israeli flags burned at North York church

A Toronto man has been charged with arson after Israeli flags were removed and burned outside a church in North York early Oct. 7.

Syed Raza, 29, was arrested Oct. 10 at a demonstration near Sankofa Square at Dundas Street East and Yonge Street. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. in the area of Sunrise Avenue near O'Connor Drive. No injuries were reported.

Raza faces charges of arson, mischief under $5,000, mischief interfering with the lawful enjoyment of property, and disobeying a lawful order of the court. He was scheduled to appear in court Oct. 11. Toronto police's Hate Crime Unit is investigating.

Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford condemned the incident in a statement, calling it "an act of intimidation, aimed at the Jewish community and, it seems, Christian residents right here in Toronto and at a place of worship." He described the timing and method as deliberate: "Fire and hate, together, on a residential street before dawn. That's meant to frighten people, and everyone in this city should say plainly that it has no place here."

Sara Lefton, Chief Development Officer at United Jewish Appeal (UJA) Federation, characterized the incident as an attack on Canadians' freedom.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Toronto police at 416-808-3505. The investigation remains ongoing.