A meeting organized by Students Supporting Israel (SSI) in Toronto was disrupted by a group of masked protesters on Nov. 5, resulting in injuries to one attendee. Jonathan Karten, who was present at the meeting, described the incident as an ambush.

Karten arrived at a nondescript building on Elm Street with his friend, Shoshanah OFlaherty, after the original venue at Toronto Metropolitan University was canceled at the last minute. The location of the meeting was kept secret until shortly before it began, a common practice for Jewish gatherings in the city due to safety concerns following increased tensions since Oct. 7, 2023.

Upon entering the building, Karten and OFlaherty were met by a young representative from SSI. As they made their way to the meeting room, they were confronted by a group of seven to ten individuals dressed in black clothing, obscuring their identities. Many wore keffiyehs and dark glasses, symbols often associated with pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Karten recounted the chaos that ensued. "I heard yelling behind me. I turned around and I saw two men charge at me. One of them was wielding a drill bit," he said. He managed to close the door to the meeting room, temporarily blocking the intruders. However, the masked individuals began to force their way in, using their body weight and the drill bit against the door, which ultimately shattered.

During the altercation, Karten sustained injuries, including a deep laceration on his right forearm, which required hospital treatment. He described the atmosphere as threatening, with the intruders shouting phrases like, "Death to the IDF. Arrest him. War criminal. Kill him. Get him."

Despite the danger, Karten remained focused on protecting the students inside the meeting. He instructed OFlaherty to call 911, but she later expressed concern that the first responder did not fully understand the seriousness of the situation. "This is a very serious, dangerous situation," OFlaherty recalled saying, feeling panicked as the events unfolded.

The incident highlights the growing tensions surrounding pro-Israel events in Toronto, where safety concerns have led to increased precautions and secrecy regarding meeting locations. The SSI meeting was intended to provide a platform for discussion but instead became a scene of violence and chaos.