Hate crimes, especially targeting Muslims and Arabs, in the Canadian city of Toronto have witnessed a record rise since the start of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.
Canadian authorities said on Friday that the number of anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim hate crimes in Toronto, the country's largest city, has witnessed a sharp increase since the start of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.
Police Chief Myron Demchio said 78 hate crimes were reported between October 7 and November 20, compared to 37 in the same period in 2022.
"The real number is undoubtedly higher because some people are reluctant to file reports," Demico added.
The number of hate crimes targeting the Muslim, Palestinian and Arab population increased to 17 crimes, compared to only one crime in 2022.
“The impact of events in the Middle East on our city has continued and increased since October 7,” Demkio said in a televised press conference.
Since October 7, authorities have arrested 25 people and filed 64 charges related to reported hate incidents.
“Hate crimes traumatize not only the victims, but all members of the targeted community and beyond,” Demchio said.
Toronto has temporarily increased the size of its hate crimes unit to 29 people from the usual 6.
Canada postpones the purchase of American marches until they are adapted to the conditions of the North
The Canadian Ministry of Defense announced the postponement of the purchase of American MQ-9B Reaper drones, worth $3.6 billion, until they are adapted to Canadian climate conditions.
Canadian Defense Ministry spokeswoman Andre-Anne Poulin said in an interview with the American newspaper Defense News: “The necessity of operating in the high northern latitudes, including the Arctic region, requires the use of satellite antennas, aircraft and communications components, which have not been It is already integrated into the MQ-9.
For his part, a defense official said, additional testing will be needed to ensure that the drones can operate in Canadian weather conditions, in addition to training appropriate to Canadian Air Force standards and the necessary airworthiness certificates.
Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair had previously stated that the government needed to reconsider the distribution of government expenditures, and send more money to the Ministry of Defence, which is in fact facing cuts in funding, and a number of other problems.
Ottawa intends to conclude a contract to purchase drones worth $3.6 billion by the end of this year or early next year. It was originally planned that the equipment would be commissioned in 2025, but the deadlines have now been postponed to 2028.
Poll: Half of Americans consider their country's politics harmful to them
A new poll conducted by the Wall Street Journal revealed that half of Americans believe that the economic and political measures taken by their country's administration work against Americans themselves.
According to the results of a public opinion poll conducted by the Wall Street Journal in cooperation with the NORC Research Center, 50% of Americans are confident that the political and economic measures taken by the American authorities are causing harm to the country’s citizens.
Only 39% of Americans agreed with this opinion.
The poll was conducted from October 19 to 24, with the participation of 1,163 registered voters.