Toronto Police announced they arrested an anti-Israel, pro-Hamas protester for waving a terrorist flag on January 7 and are banning protests on highway overpasses.

Police did not state what the specific flag was that was deemed to represent a terrorist entity.

“A 41-year-old Toronto man has been arrested and charged with Public Incitement of Hatred after a large demonstration on Sunday, January, 7, 2024, in the downtown area,” the police statement read.

Police arrested and charged Maged Sameh Hilal Al Khalaf, 41, “after he allegedly marched in the Queen Street West and Bay Street area waving a flag of an organization listed as a terrorist group by Public Safety Canada.”

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said the anti-Israeli demonstrations have escalated and are increasingly posing a public safety threat that has left many in the surrounding Jewish community feeling intimidated.

In recent weeks, pro-Hamas protests have targeted Jewish neighbourhoods, in particular on the Avenue Road highway overpass.

Demkiw said on Thursday that these protests on overpasses are now banned.

“People can expect to be arrested, if necessary,” he said.

Prior to this announcement, police had been accommodating the protesters. One police officer was even seen delivering coffee to protesters over the weekend.

Outdoor skaters interrupted by Hamas protesters

Pro-Palestinian protesters stormed the Nathan Phillips Square outdoor rink on January 7, disrupting and intimidating elderly Torontonians who were out for an afternoon skate. 

One of the protesters used a microphone and loudspeaker while talking in Arabic, reportedly calling for “the liberation of all Palestine” and said “We will sacrifice our soul and blood for Palestine.” 

Last month, a leader from the Hamas terrorists personally thanked the Trudeau Government for their support in calling for a ceasefire.