Palestinian protest in Toronto: Israeli counter-protesters evacuation.

Around 40 Israeli counter-protesters and reporter teams were evacuated by Toronto police when were encircled by 5000 angry Palestinian protesters. This video contains scenes of violence and coarse language.
Toronto police say during a demonstration more than 5,000 people gathered in Nathan Philips Square on Saturday night on May 15, the majority of them demonstrating in solidarity with the Palestinian’s suffering through Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, and a smaller group demonstrating against rocket attacks on Israel by the terror group Hamas.

A CP24 reporter saw bottles thrown in the square and sporadic instances of people shoving each other.

Police said a 29-year-old Toronto man was arrested in the square for allegedly bringing a weapon to the demonstration, and a 22-year-old Thornhill man was charged with assault.

Officers said more may be charged in the coming days.

“Police are continuing to investigate this event and have been clear that organizers and attendees of events are subject to enforcement and that charges can be laid in the days following events,” police said in a statement issued on Sunday.

After the gathering at the square, several videos circulating on social media showed several masked men, one with a Palestinian flag pinned to his back, attacking an older man with what appeared to be wooden sticks.

Toronto Mayor John Tory said he received the video of the incident.

“I have been in touch with (Toronto Police) Chief James Ramer and have made available to him a video of a particularly disturbing incident which had been sent to me.”

"Hate, anti-Semitism, and violence have no place in our city," Tory said.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford also released a statement Sunday afternoon, saying acts of violence and expression of anti-Semitism have no place in the province.

"This behavior is totally reprehensible & should be investigated by the police. Discrimination or hatred of any kind against any community in our province should never be tolerated," Ford said.

The assault appeared to occur near the downtown Toronto bus terminal.

Police said they were “actively investigating the incident” and urged anyone with information to contact 52 Division.

In an earlier appearance on CP24, Tory also called both marches “deeply regrettable” given their public health implications.