Protesters carrying Palestinian flags disrupted events at the Ashkenaz Festival in Toronto on Sunday, marching through pedestrian areas and confronting festival-goers during the cultural celebration.
The disruption was promoted online by pro-Palestinian activist Jagbir Ghankas, also known as jagpile on Instagram, who filmed himself and fellow activists walking through Kensington Market while following and questioning festival attendees.
In video footage shared on social media, Ghankas and the demonstrators approached participants, including a woman attending the event, and called her a "genocide denier" after she objected to the war in Gaza being described as a genocide. Protesters carried signs bearing slogans such as "No Pride in Apartheid" and "Songs won't silence the bombs," while chanting and waving flags.
In a post accompanying the footage shared on social media regarding the festival, Ghankas wrote, “Ashkenazi are the majority ruling class in occupied Palestine ('Israel'). And they have a festival celebrating 'israeli' culture in Toronto, kicking off with a Kensington market takeover on pedestrian Sunday, August 30th, 2026. One of the sponsors is the Azrieli Foundation, which supports the genocide in Gaza."
The video promoting targeting the festival was also shared by Daniela Bonamico, one of several individuals recently arrested by the Toronto Police Service Hate Crime Unit and charged with willful promotion of hatred and public incitement of hatred in connection with ongoing protests in the city. Other collaborators promoting the video on Instagram included Mississauga-Streetsville for Palestine and Watermelon Toronto.
What is the Ashkenaz Festival?
The Ashkenaz Festival bills itself as one of the largest and most prestigious showcases of Jewish music and culture anywhere in the world.
Originally established in 1995 as a biennial showcase for klezmer and Yiddish music and culture at Harbourfront Center, the festival has evolved over the years into an eclectic celebration encompassing global Jewish art and culture, featuring traditions from Ashkenazic, Sephardic, Mizrahi, and Israeli communities.
The disruption drew swift condemnation from advocacy organizations. Honest Reporting Canada shared footage of the confrontation on X, stating, "When fringe anti-Israel radicals attempt to target Jews at a Jewish cultural festival in Toronto and try to hold them collectively responsible for Israel's actions, it is, by the IHRA definition, antisemitism."
The Israel Now movement shared posts on social media warning of plans to disrupt the event, saying that “Hamas Supporters Are Planning To Disrupt The Toronto Jewish Ashkenaz Festival On Sunday August 30th At 12 Noon In Kensington Market!”