Toronto police have increased their presence at Mount Sinai Hospital following protests

Toronto police say they are increasing their presence on hospital lines after a pro-Palestinian protest near Mount Sinai Hospital on Monday night.

Toronto Police Service spokeswoman Stephanie Sayer told CBC News the increased police presence is to ensure access to essential hospital services and emergency routes.

“The operation of the hospital should not be disrupted,” Sayer wrote in an email.

Police did not say whether the protest affected hospital operations. The hospital did not respond to CBC News' request for comment.

“The Toronto Police Service is investigating several incidents that occurred in front of Mount Sinai Hospital and along the demonstration route. As we have previously stated, officers use discretion during large crowds, even if it is not considered safe to make an arrest at the time. , investigations will continue and charges may be laid at a later date.” Sayer said.

In videos posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, a man can be seen climbing onto the roof of Mount Sinai Hospital, waving a Palestinian flag, during the protest.

Another video shows crowds of people chanting “intifada” in hospital rows, many of them waving Palestinian flags. Intifada is an Arabic word that describes several Palestinian uprisings over the decades.

Trudeau condemned the “display of anti-Semitism.”

The protest was condemned by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.

“Yesterday's demonstration at Mount Sinai Hospital was reprehensible. Hospitals are places of healing and care, not protest and intimidation,” Trudeau X wrote.

“I strongly condemn this display of anti-Semitism. In Toronto and across Canada, we stand together with the Jewish community against this hatred.”

At a news conference in Mississauga on Tuesday, Ford described the action as “absolutely appalling.”

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“Folks, have common sense, have common sense. These hospitals exist to save lives … they exist to help people. Don't break the law,” Ford said.

He said the federal government has passed a law that says people can't protest in front of hospitals, even though it's illegal “you have to have an ounce of decency to do that.” I don't care if you're protesting … if you want to protest, go to City Hall, go down to Queen's Park, jump up and down, do whatever you want, but don't stop people from going to the hospital to save lives.”

In addition, Chow said that the actions at the hospital, which was founded by the Jewish community in Toronto, will not be tolerated.

“Targeting Jewish institutions is anti-Semitic and hate has no place in our city,” Chow said.

Raghu Venugopal, an emergency department doctor, said he and another colleague went to the hospital to witness and counter any protests outside the hospital. (Raghu Venugopal/X)

Emergency department physician Raghu Venugopal described the group's actions as “disappointing” in a post on X, saying he and another colleague went to the hospital to witness and counter any protests outside the hospital.

“It's a sad evening in front of the Toronto Jewish Hospital – Mount Sinai Hospital. Protesters have taken to the grounds of this holy and sacred hospital to protest,” Venugopal said in the post.

“It is everyone's right to protest in Canada, but under the laws of our land in Canada, you cannot protest in a way that obstructs or intimidates medical staff or patients from entering a hospital. This is federal Bill C-3. became a law.”

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or experienced the harassment on Monday night to come forward.