Last week, a confrontation at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) escalated when a group of protesters disrupted a pro-Israel student meeting, leading to injuries and multiple arrests. The incident, which took place on November 5, has drawn significant attention, particularly due to the actions of one soldier, Jonathan Karten, who intervened to remove the protesters.
Karten, a 29-year-old member of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), was filmed ejecting several masked individuals from the event. He attributes his resolve to the memory of his uncle, Sharon Edri, an IDF soldier murdered by Hamas terrorists in 1996. “Thank God no one was fatally injured,” Karten remarked. His uncle’s legacy has instilled a warrior spirit in him, which he demonstrated during the altercation.
The confrontation began as Karten and other students prepared for a private event featuring two IDF soldiers discussing their experiences following the October 7 attacks. Despite efforts to keep details confidential, a local chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) learned of the meeting and mobilized a protest. As a result, about 40 to 50 protestors, many wearing keffiyehs, overwhelmed the smaller group of pro-Israel students.
Karten’s actions have drawn praise from many. Videos circulating online depict him forcefully removing trespassers from the venue, sometimes carrying two individuals at a time. Amid the chaos, shouts of “Stop! Stop! Get out of here!” were heard over chants of “Free free Palestine!” and “We refuse to allow war criminals in our city!”
As tensions escalated, a protester reportedly broke a glass door with a drill bit, injuring Karten in the process. He described the moment, stating, “I got hit in the face and stabbed, either by the broken glass or by the drill bit.” Following the incident, he and one student were taken to a hospital for treatment but were later discharged. “I have a bit of a shiner and some abrasions,” Karten noted, adding that he received stitches on his forearm.
Despite the violence, Karten returned to TMU soon after his release to complete his planned talk. “I wasn’t going to let them take that away from us,” he said, demonstrating a commitment to his cause.
The protest’s aftermath saw multiple arrests. Five individuals were taken into custody, facing charges including forcible entry, obstructing a peace officer, and unlawful assembly. The incident has sparked discussions about rising tensions and antisemitism in Canada, particularly following a recent statement by Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, who accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Her remarks were criticized by various groups, including the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, which described them as “reckless, divisive and dangerous.”
The unrest at TMU reflects a broader trend of antisemitic violence and vandalism that has reportedly increased in Canada over the past two years. Rabbi Joe Kanofsky of Toronto Kehillat Shaarei Torah emphasized the necessity for government officials to unequivocally condemn such hate crimes, noting, “Silence equals acquiescence.”
Advocacy groups are expressing concern regarding the environment at universities. Jesse Primerano, executive director of StandWithUs Canada, highlighted the problematic atmosphere at TMU and the lack of accountability for disruptive behavior from groups like SJP, which he claims has a history of such actions.
The TMU incident has raised questions about the safety of Jewish students in Canada. As the nation grapples with these issues, the need for strong leadership and clear responses to hate crimes remains critical. In a time of heightened tensions, events like those at Toronto Metropolitan University serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by communities across the country.
