The Toronto Police Service (TPS) is looking into two of its officers for making denigrating comments about Israel on social media. .“We are aware of the posts and Professional Standards are investigating,” said TPS spokesperson Stephanie Sayer in a Thursday statement provided to the Toronto Sun. .The alleged social media posts from the two TPS officers are another example of the vitriol stemming from the terrorist attacks in Israel that have left more than 1,000 people dead, many wounded and 150 held hostage. .One officer is a constable at 23 Division and another is a special constable in the Community Safety Unit who is employed by Toronto Community Housing. .TPS confirmed it has the task and authority to investigate them. They allegedly posted commentary online that many would feel cross the line at any time, let alone following the murderous onslaught by Hamas. .TPS Const. Shumail Mian allegedly posted on Instagram a cartoon of media cameras videoing an Israeli man wearing a blue shirt and Star of David on one side of a border and Gaza with severed bodies, decapitated heads and pools of blood on the other. Under the image is the hashtag #freepalestine. .TPS Special Const. Mustafa Rahmanzadeh allegedly shared to his Instagram story a meme of former German chancellor Adolf Hitler morphing over three frames into Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the headline “How can you inflict the same torture that your own people suffered?” This headline is followed with “May Allah swt (sic) destroy the oppressors.”.Mian and Rahmanzadeh have not been charged at this point. The Toronto Sun’s attempts to reach them were unsuccessful. .“There is no confidence from the community that these officers would properly protect them and because of that they should immediately be removed from duty,” said Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman. .“There is no place for the glorification of terror, kidnapping, murder and rape and there should be consequences.”.B’nai Brith Canada Manager of Research and Advocacy Richard Robertson said it is “incredibly concerning and disheartening to know several peace officers allegedly have engaged in sharing antisemitic content.”.“Toronto’s Jews must be assured that the city’s police force remains committed to serving and protecting all its citizens, since those officers do not instill such confidence,” said Robertson. .While TPS has been clear in its mission to keep people safe and protect free speech and protest rights while monitoring for hate crimes, it now finds itself looking within. TPS Chief Myron Demkiw and senior leadership have been preparing for any conflicts..Demkiw’s briefing on Thursday explained how serious TPS is taking potential threats and the measures used to protect Toronto. .This ordeal comes after Air Canada confirmed on Wednesday pilot Mostafa Ezzo, who appeared in anti-Israel footage wearing his uniform, has been fired. .READ MORE: Pro-Hamas Air Canada pilot fired after public uproar.Ezzo joined Palestinian celebrations congratulating Hamas for its terrorist attack on Israel, wearing his Air Canada garb while holding a Palestinian scarf, which led to him being taken out of service as of Monday. .By Wednesday, there was enough pushback from the public, including from Conservative MP Mark Strahl (Chilliwack-Hope, BC), to have Ezzo fired.
The Toronto Police Service (TPS) is looking into two of its officers for making denigrating comments about Israel on social media. .“We are aware of the posts and Professional Standards are investigating,” said TPS spokesperson Stephanie Sayer in a Thursday statement provided to the Toronto Sun. .The alleged social media posts from the two TPS officers are another example of the vitriol stemming from the terrorist attacks in Israel that have left more than 1,000 people dead, many wounded and 150 held hostage. .One officer is a constable at 23 Division and another is a special constable in the Community Safety Unit who is employed by Toronto Community Housing. .TPS confirmed it has the task and authority to investigate them. They allegedly posted commentary online that many would feel cross the line at any time, let alone following the murderous onslaught by Hamas. .TPS Const. Shumail Mian allegedly posted on Instagram a cartoon of media cameras videoing an Israeli man wearing a blue shirt and Star of David on one side of a border and Gaza with severed bodies, decapitated heads and pools of blood on the other. Under the image is the hashtag #freepalestine. .TPS Special Const. Mustafa Rahmanzadeh allegedly shared to his Instagram story a meme of former German chancellor Adolf Hitler morphing over three frames into Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the headline “How can you inflict the same torture that your own people suffered?” This headline is followed with “May Allah swt (sic) destroy the oppressors.”.Mian and Rahmanzadeh have not been charged at this point. The Toronto Sun’s attempts to reach them were unsuccessful. .“There is no confidence from the community that these officers would properly protect them and because of that they should immediately be removed from duty,” said Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman. .“There is no place for the glorification of terror, kidnapping, murder and rape and there should be consequences.”.B’nai Brith Canada Manager of Research and Advocacy Richard Robertson said it is “incredibly concerning and disheartening to know several peace officers allegedly have engaged in sharing antisemitic content.”.“Toronto’s Jews must be assured that the city’s police force remains committed to serving and protecting all its citizens, since those officers do not instill such confidence,” said Robertson. .While TPS has been clear in its mission to keep people safe and protect free speech and protest rights while monitoring for hate crimes, it now finds itself looking within. TPS Chief Myron Demkiw and senior leadership have been preparing for any conflicts..Demkiw’s briefing on Thursday explained how serious TPS is taking potential threats and the measures used to protect Toronto. .This ordeal comes after Air Canada confirmed on Wednesday pilot Mostafa Ezzo, who appeared in anti-Israel footage wearing his uniform, has been fired. .READ MORE: Pro-Hamas Air Canada pilot fired after public uproar.Ezzo joined Palestinian celebrations congratulating Hamas for its terrorist attack on Israel, wearing his Air Canada garb while holding a Palestinian scarf, which led to him being taken out of service as of Monday. .By Wednesday, there was enough pushback from the public, including from Conservative MP Mark Strahl (Chilliwack-Hope, BC), to have Ezzo fired.
