Back to School at TMU | CAEF Bulletin – August 21, 2026
- CAEF
- 17 hours ago
- 11 min read
Justice Benotto Slams Toronto Metropolitan University Admin for Tolerance of Intimidation of Jewish Students
Toronto Metropolitan University ("TMU"), formerly Ryerson University, whose campus is located in downtown Toronto, has been described as the capital city of antisemitism on Canadian campuses, even when taking into account the months long encampment at the University of Toronto and the antics at York University.
In the wake of two mob actions that forced the discontinuance of two campus events in the fall of 2025, TMU commissioned retired Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Mary Lou Benotto to conduct an external review ("Review") of these events and TMU's reaction to it. The Review concluded that the two incidents "were symptoms of a deteriorating campus climate that, absent decisive institutional action, are likely to recur."
The full text of the Review is available here.
One of the two hate mob actions referred to in the Review was a riot that took place on November 5, 2025 at an event featuring former IDF soldier Jonathan Karten who was invited to speak on his experiences by the student group Students Supporting Israel. TMU denied the student group access to TMU property to hold the event, citing security issues. Boy oh boy there were security issues. When the event re-organized and held at a nearby privately-owned facility, the hate mob descended and the following crimes were allegedly committed: (a) forcible entry, (b) mischief (c) participation in an unlawful assembly while disguised, (d) participation in a riot while disguised, (e) obstruction of police, and (f) incitement of hatred against members of an identifiable group, namely people from Israel.
Form 2 Information / Formule 2 Dénonciation Sections 506, 508.1 and 788 of the Criminal Code / Articles 506, 508.1 et 788 du Code criminel CANADA PROVINCE OF ONTARIO PROVINCE DE L'ONTARIO TORONTO (Region / Région) Information of Laurie-Ann Tyrrell Dénonciation de of THE CITY OF TORONTO Court Officer (occupation / profession) hereinafter called the informant / ci-après appelé(e) le dénonciateur The informant says that he/she believes on reasonable grounds thatLe dénonciateur déclare qu'il a des motifs raisonnables de croire que (1) ALEXIS, Kiana Marie DOB: 26 May, 2002 114 MADISON AV, TORONTO, ON M5R2S1 (2) BAITON, Nicole DOB: 2 Jul, 2000 418 - 275 BRONTE RD, OAKVILLE, ON (3) IBRAHIM, Qabil DOB: 22 Nov, 1998 204 - 115 TYNDALL AV, TORONTO, ON (4) MUGNI, Fatimah Maha DOB: 01 Aug, 2002 811 - 330 MCNAM RD, SCARBOROUGH, ON M1J 3K3 COUNT 1 Kiana Marie ALEXIS and Fatimah Maha MUGNI and Nicole BAITON and Qabil IBRAHIM on or about the 5th day of November in the year 2025 at the City of Toronto in the Toronto Region did commit forcible entry upon real property situated at 48 Elm Street, Toronto, contrary to Section 73 of the Criminal Code of Canada. COUNT 2 AND FURTHER THAT Qabil IBRAHIM on or about the 5th day of November in the year 2025 at the City of Toronto in the Toronto Region did wilfully damage a glass door at 48 Elm Street, Toronto, the property of Jake CHAO, the value of which did not exceed five thousand dollars, and thereby commit mischief contrary to Section 430, subsection (4) of the Criminal Code of Canada. COUNT 3 AND FURTHER THAT Qabil IBRAHIM on or about the 5th day of November in the year 2025 at the City of Toronto in the Toronto Region did commit an assault on Jonachar KANTEN, contrary to Section 266 of the Criminal Code of Canada. COUNT 4 AND FURTHER THAT Kiana Marie ALEXIS and Fatimah Maha MUGNI and Nicole BAITON and Qabil IBRAHIM on or about the 5th day of November in the year 2025 at the City of Toronto in the Toronto Region was a member of an unlawful assembly while wearing a mask or disguise, contrary to Section 66, subsection (1) of the Criminal Code of Canada. COUNT 5 AND FURTHER THAT Qabil IBRAHIM and Fatimah Maha MUGNI and Nicole BAITON and Kiana Marie ALEXIS on or about the 5th day of November in the year 2025 at the City of Toronto in the Toronto Region did take part in a riot while wearing a mask or disguise, contrary to Section 65, subsection (1) of the Criminal Code of Canada. COUNT 6 AND FURTHER THAT Qabil IBRAHIM and Fatimah Maha MUGNI and Nicole BAITON and Kiana Marie ALEXIS on or about the 5th day of November in the year 2025 at the City of Toronto in the Toronto Region did wilfully interfere with the owner and everyone lawfully within the building in the lawful use, namely the building at 48 Elm St Toronto, and thereby commit mischief, contrary to Section 430, subsection (1), clause (c) of the Criminal Code of Canada. COUNT 7 AND FURTHER THAT Fatimah Maha MUGNI and Nicole BAITON on or about the 5th day of November in the year 2025 at the City of Toronto in the Toronto Region did, by communicating statements in a public place, namely 48 Elm St. Toronto, incite hatred against an identifiable group, namely the people from Israel, where such incitement was likely to lead to a breach of the peace, contrary to Section 319, subsection (1) of the Criminal Code of Canada. COUNT 8 AND FURTHER THAT Nicole BAITON on or about the 5th day of November in the year 2025 at the City of Toronto in the Toronto Region did wilfully obstruct PC MASALA, a peace officer in the execution of her duty, contrary to Section 129, clause (a) of the Criminal Code of Canada. COUNT 9 AND FURTHER THAT Kiana Marie ALEXIS on or about the 5th day of November in the year 2025 at the City of Toronto in the Toronto Region did wilfully obstruct PC DRAGHEIM, a peace officer in the execution of his duty, contrary to Section 129, clause (a) of the Criminal Code of Canada. ------------ End of Charges/Counts ------------ |
We at CAEF decided to publish the full text of the court document setting out the allegations, without self-imposed redactions. We believe our community has the right to know all information that is relevant to a violent attack on our community, publicly available from the office of the Registrar of the Ontario Court of Justice, and that is lawful for publication. We strongly discourage and condemn in advance, any act of reprisal or other unlawful activity in response to this attack. If the alleged perpetrators of this attack experience what they perceive to be a breach of their personal privacy and anonymity, perhaps they should consider obeying the law.
The case is currently proceeding through the court system and has been elevated to the Superior Court of Justice.
Recommendations of the Review:
The Review's recommendations are exactly on point. University non-academic codes of behavior, must be consistently and predictably enforced. The IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, which is the official policy of the Government of Canada and Government of Ontario, must also be included as part of the antidiscrimination policies of TMU.
The Review recommends:
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TMU's Reaction: TMU has, in its wisdom, decided to appoint a Task Force to review the External Review and write a report about the report, by March 2027, three months after current president Mohamed Lachemi's term in office is set to conclude. This will become somebody else's problem, and TMU will kick the can down the road even farther. Meanwhile, as Justice Benotto said, incidents such as this one are likely to recur.
Wait -- it gets more interesting. Three members of the Task Force commissioned to implement Benotto's Review previously signed an open letter opposing the IHRA definition of antisemitism. How they're supposed to support implementation of recommendations they personally oppose is going to be a fascinating demonstration of pretzel-thinking.
How You Can Take Action:
Send this Message: CAEF, with our partners Hillel Ontario, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, Canadian Women Against Antisemitism, Alliance of Canadians Combatting Antisemitism and StandWithUs Canada, is proud to make available this portal for you to tell TMU President Lachemi that immediate action to protect all students from the hate mobs, and enforce its own rules, is required. Click on the box below.
2. Copy/paste this poster on social media, and print it out and display it on message boards in and around TMU. Send our message directly to the hate mobsters that we're not rolling over anymore.
The antisemites at TMU and other Ontario and Canadian universities have to make some fundamental life choices. If they continue as they do, they will face increasing pushback from us before their regulatory bodies and we can have extended court and tribunal debates about their conduct. We are ready and willing to engage in those discussions with them. Alternatively, they can learn to behave themselves. It's their choice.
CAEF Supports CLARITy Coalition's Petition to the Federal Government: Reconsider Appointments to Canada's Rights and Inclusion Council
We call on Government to remove supporters of Hamas and Hezbollah from the new Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion, as it makes a mockery of the whole process and certainly won't serve Canada or the Canadian Jewish community.
CAEF Urges support for DARA's petition to address antisemitism in medicine in Quebec.
Projet Montréal has tabled a motion accusing Israel of being a genocidal and apartheid state and calling for divestment from any Israeli governmental or institutional ties. It goes to a vote on August 24 at the next council meeting and the caucus is meeting tomorrow.
We have a narrow window to make our voices heard.
Please sign the petition and forward this to everyone you know. Every signature counts, and numbers matter.
Legal Update
1. Daniela BONAMICO and Shahram NAYEB-YAZDI are banned from a 500m zone surrounding the Bathurst Street/Sheppard Avenue Intersection.
Release orders of the Ontario Court of Justice have imposed conditions of Daniela BONAMICO and Shahram NAYEB YAZDI that prohibit them from being within a 500m zone surrounding the intersection of Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue, any time day or night. Enforcement of this condition depends on you. If you see them within this zone, please report to Toronto Police 416-808-2222 or dial 9-1-1 if you feel unsafe. Also please report the incident to the Jewish Security Network's 24-hour hotline 437-222-3999.
Best of Friends—International Christian Embassy Jerusalem
Many, if not most Jews, do not know of the extensive, unflagging, innovative, compassionate work done by ICEJ in Israel, and don't understand the importance of this Jewish-Christian relationship. CAEF truly values ICEJ and the many other Christian and non-Jewish allies that not only support the existence of Israel, but combat antisemitism on the global stage, provide personal care and services to Holocaust survivors, support Aliyah from the four corners of the globe where Jews are victimized, educate other Christians on the importance both Biblically and politically of supporting Israel and the Jewish people, and much much more. We need support and grow this relationship and thank the thousands of volunteers, donors and believers who add strength every day to the work of Zion.
CAEF is pleased to share this link the latest edition of Word from Jerusalem, the ICEJ magazine and to draw your attention to articles and the rescue of Bnei Menashe from northeast India, Aliyah from France, the restoration of Kibbutz Be'eri, fighting antizionism and the Jerusalem Affirmation of the Nicene Faith.
Welcome Colombia to Israel
.."Less than two months after ousting the anti-Israel president, Colombia's new leader, Abelardo de la Espriella, has passed a series of dramatic decisions in favor of Israel.
In an unprecedented move, Colombia recognized the Golan Heights as sovereign Israeli territory, signed a free trade agreement with Israel, and completely canceled visa requirements for Israeli citizens. In addition, the country officially withdrew its lawsuit against Israel at the international court in The Hague and announced that the Colombian embassy will be moved to Jerusalem. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar was also invited to the inauguration ceremony held in the country this week." (published by the Sinai Project)
Recommended Reading
Read article by Mark Zlochin in the Jewish Chronicle, reporting on a UN study confirming there was no starvation in Gaza, August 3, 2026. Importantly, this is from UNICEF, not Israel's friend.
Read article by Juan Malamed in JTA about the Argentinian official charged with covering up the evidence in the investigation of AMIA prosecutor's death, May 21, 2026.
Read article by Marty York in National Post on the co-option of Canadian university schools of journalism by antisemites, August 18, 2026.
Read article by Tamar Stein in Israel365News asking bold question, "Should Palestinians be relocated to Syria?", and note she asks this in the context of Turkey's displacement of indigenous people and replacement with their preferred Palestinian population in conjunction with Palestinian NGOs, August 19, 2026.
Read article by Alan Baker in National Post on Minister Anand's misinformed condemnation of Israel, August 6, 2026.
Read National Post editorial, Canadian Jews Deserve Better, August 8, 2026.
Read article by Jonathan Braun in the Jewish Press on Questions the Media Never asks, nor answers, August 19, 2026.
Read article by Barbara Kay in National Post suggesting it is time to get rid of the International Criminal Court, August 3, 2026.
Read article by Terry O'Brien in his Substack titled, Great American Real News Links, Videos, and More with excellent maps confirming There is No Palestine, April 7, 2025.
The article is followed by several excellent videos on Jewish indigeneity to the Land of Israel.
Read similar detailed information by Robert Goldman in his Substack, under the heading The World's Biggest Lie
Read Nachum Kaplan's guest article in The Future of Jewish, on whether peace over war is the right objective, August 18, 2026.
Read Dan Donavan in Ottawa Life on CBC's abject failure to be objective and its contribution to antisemitism in Canada, August 16, 2026.
Concerns and Resources for K-12 Education
CAEF is pleased to be working with the North American Values Institute, NAVI, on addressing antisemitism, extremism, ideological bias in the classroom. Along with Jewish Educators and Families Association (JEFA) in Canada, we urge that school boards, teachers' unions, the College and other accreditation bodies in Canada, respect the values of Canada, avoid bias in controversial issues, teach kids how to think and not what to think. We draw your attention to resources available on the NAVI website such as this downloadable poster which is part of a campaign in the US organized by CORE, of which NAVI is a member.
CORE, the Coalition of Organizations for Responsible Education, urges other NGOs to join. Check it out.
CAEF is also sharing information from CAMERA-EDU, the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis, which addresses antisemitism and extremism in schools. Check out their resources and articles, such as the antiZionist bias in Wikipedia, How classrooms have been turned into a platform for Palestinian activism.
Recommended Viewing
Watch WorldIsraelNews.com inside PA's military developments which endanger Israel.
Advocacy and Action
Read Letter from Richard Sherman to The Globe and Mail on Zionophobia in Canadian universities, August 18, 2026.
Read Letter from Richard Sherman to The Toronto Star on Jewish history in Judea and Samaria and the Oslo Accords, August 21, 2026.
Community Events
Learn more and get your tickets for CAEF's 2026 Advocate Award of Excellence, honouring Brian Lee Crowley, Tuesday October 27, 2026.
Hamilton: Temple Anshe Sholom is hosting a free half-day conference. CAEF is a proud sponsor.
Bringing together leading scholars from Canada and abroad, the conference will explore Jewish history, Israel, antisemitism, and the remarkable resilience of the Jewish people. Attend the entire day or choose only those presentations that are of particular interest to you — you are sure to leave with new knowledge, fresh perspectives, and a deeper appreciation of our shared heritage.
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