Canada: Police Quizzed Over Viral Video of Officer Delivering Hot Coffee to Anti-Israel Protesters

Canadian police have responded to a viral video showing officers delivering coffee to an anti-Israel protester during a public demonstration in Toronto.

The video shows an officer carrying a box of coffee and handing it to protesters. Toronto police have regretted one of the officer’s interactions with the protestor and ordered a “thorough review” of the incident that has invited widespread condemnation online.

Critics alleged preferential treatment by Toronto police to those protesting against Israel when compared to the swift crackdown in the past on the “Freedom Convoy” of truckers voicing concern against Covid-19 mandates.

The protest who received the hot cups of Tim Hortons explained the delivery was not sent by someone else who bought the coffee for the protesters attempting an anti-Israel demonstration on a highway overpass.

‘I am sorry’

Without going into details of the incident, Toronto Police Service Chief Myron Demkiw regretted the incident in a statement put on social media platform X. “Yesterday, Saturday, January 6th, officers managed approximately a half dozen demonstrations including on multiple overpasses. Questions have been raised regarding one particular interaction between officers and a person on the Avenue Road bridge during an hours-long demonstration. Whatever the intent, the impact has been to cause concern and confusion and for that I am sorry,” he said.

“I immediately convened Command meetings and ordered a thorough review of the da/s events and to ensure that the most effective operational planning and responses are in place. Let me be clear and unequivocal: our commitment to keeping our city’s Jewish community safe is unwavering. We are doing everything we can in the locations that have been targeted for demonstration to uphold and enforce the law,” he added.

One of the users on X wrote, “I don’t recall receiving any hot coffee from the Police during the FREEDOM CONVOY, yet here they are the Toronto Police delivering coffee during the blockade today.” Another said, “Probably one of the most embarrassing and pathetic moments in Canada’s history along with the Liberals getting a thank you shutout from Hamas leadership and tackling kids who were playing hockey outside without a mask.”