Full Breakdown
Antisemitic Conspiracy Rhetoric Unleashed at Toronto’s Bathurst-Sheppard Protest
8/25/2026, 1:23:06 AM
Antisemitic Rhetoric at a Pro-Palestine Demonstration
During a recent pro-Palestine rally in Toronto’s Jewish-predominant Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West neighbourhood, speaker Abbas Hamze—identified by the X account Leviathan as a university instructor and faculty lecturer—delivered a series of antisemitic conspiracy claims.
Background of the Bathurst-Sheppard Protests
The intersection has become a recurring flashpoint for anti-Israel demonstrations. Police have repeatedly intervened, including forming a barrier on March 14, 2026 between Al-Quds Day protesters and pro-Israel counter-demonstrators near the U.S. Consulate. Recent arrests have involved charges of willful promotion of hatred and public incitement of hatred. A national uptick in antisemitic attacks on Jewish and Israeli institutions across Canada has been noted alongside these local rallies.
Official Responses
Leviathan alleges that the Toronto Police Service provided Hamze with an “armed escort” while he protests at Jewish neighbourhoods, schools and synagogues—a claim presented without independent verification.
Criticism and Calls for Action
B’nai Brith’s Robertson warned that the “permissive environment” created since the October 7, 2023 attacks has allowed classical antisemitic tropes—such as accusations of “black magic” and child-eating—to be broadcast publicly, normalising hate on Toronto’s streets. He called for renewed police scrutiny of future demonstrations at the Bathurst-Sheppard intersection.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Abbas Hamze also calls for the kidnapping of Israeli hostages, stating that ‘Hamas has the right to take hostages on October 7th 2023,’ while also claiming ‘Hezbollah has the right to assist Hamas on October 8th,’” — Hamze. Leviathan
- “Abbas Hamze has also been pictured holding up flags of the Islamic Republic of Iran in this Jewish neighborhood while also writing, ‘We will continue the path of Imam Khamenei, no matter how many sacrifices are made, and his pure blood will bear the inevitable victory.’” — Hamze. Leviathan
These statements illustrate the extremist narrative promoted by Hamze and the broader concerns expressed by community watchdogs regarding the escalation of hate speech in public protest settings.
