Man claiming membership in extremist Jewish group charged with uttering: police
Toronto police say they have arrested and charged a 38-year-old man from Vaughan, Ont., after he made threatening statements during a demonstration near Bathurst Street and Shepard Avenue W. on Sunday.
Police say the man approached an officer during the demonstration and claimed to be a member of Kahane Chai (Kach), which Public Safety Canada classifies as a terrorist entity.
According to Public Safety Canada, Kahane Chai is an extremist Jewish group that advocates for all Arabs to be expelled from Israel, among other things.
The man allegedly made threatening comments about counter-demonstrators at the event, including threats to cause "grievous harm."
Police did not specify the nature of the demonstration, but weekly "rallies for Israel" have been held at Bathurst and Sheppard for many months. Social media posts indicate one was being planned for Sunday as well — with other posts online showing that pro-Palestinian protesters were also planning to attend.
Police say they searched the man's home on Monday, discovering Kahane Chai branded clothing, ammunition, a rifle and scope, and a body armour vest.
He is now facing charges of uttering threats and careless storage of ammunition and was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday morning.
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