Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is facing intense backlash after a video showing her chanting “Free Palestine” during the city’s Pride Parade on Sunday spread across social media, prompting critics to accuse her of further alienating Toronto’s Jewish community amid a surge in antisemitic incidents.

The footage was widely circulated online, including by Canadian attorney and author Warren Kinsella, who has frequently spoken out against antisemitism.

Here's Olivia Chow, who claims to be the mayor of every person in Toronto, saying "free Palestine."

Jews are a minority in Toronto. They feel unwanted and unsafe.

Chow is one of the reasons why. #topoli pic.twitter.com/jnuBFGEvEQ

— Warren Kinsella (@kinsellawarren) June 29, 2026

“Here’s Olivia Chow, who claims to be the mayor of every person in Toronto, saying ‘free Palestine,'” wrote Kinsella.

“Jews are a minority in Toronto. They feel unwanted and unsafe. Chow is one of the reasons why,” he added.

Canadian journalist Dahlia Kurtz also shared the video, criticizing the mayor’s remarks during the event.

“Mayor Olivia Chow screams ‘Free Palestine’ at Toronto Pride parade.”

“You know, the same two words terrorists have screamed before murdering and butchering their victims,” added Kurtz.

The latest controversy adds to previous criticism of Chow’s handling of issues involving the Jewish community and Israel. Last year, she declined to attend a Jewish community memorial marking the first anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 massacre. Chow later attributed her absence to what she described as a “miscommunication,” saying her office never received the invitation by email.

She also drew criticism when she chose not to participate in a City Hall ceremony commemorating Israel’s Independence Day, during which the Israeli flag was to be raised. At the time, Chow argued that attending the event would be “divisive” because of the ongoing war in Gaza.

The controversy comes as Toronto and its surrounding communities continue to experience a sharp increase in antisemitic attacks following Hamas’ October 7, 2023 massacre in Israel, with incidents escalating even further in recent months.

In early March, two synagogues in the Toronto area were targeted in separate shootings within hours of one another. Police have since arrested multiple suspects in connection with those attacks.

That same month, Temple Emanu-El in North York was struck by gunfire while congregants were celebrating Purim. No one was injured, although the synagogue sustained damage.

In late April, a man allegedly attempted to force his way into an Orthodox shul in Thornhill, just north of Toronto, assaulting one individual before escaping.

The following day, a rock was thrown through the window of a Toronto Judaica store, marking the third attack on the same business.

{Matzav.com}