A 64-year-old Jewish real estate agent and attorney was brutally attacked in Toronto this week after a man allegedly targeted him because he was visibly Jewish, hurling bricks and metal objects while shouting anti-Semitic slurs accusing Jews of murdering babies and committing genocide.
Yosef Bitton said the terrifying attack unfolded Tuesday afternoon at a commercial property he manages near the intersection of Jane Street and Lawrence Avenue West in Toronto. According to Bitton, the assailant began swinging a parking marker post and throwing heavy objects while screaming that Jews were “baby killers” committing genocide.
“He said he was from Yemen and that he was a Houthi,” Bitton, who also works as an attorney, told the National Post.
Bitton immediately called 911 as the assault began.
“The first thing I told the dispatcher was that I was being attacked because I was visibly Jewish, and that this person was threatening to kill me,” he said.
The attacker allegedly hurled debris that had been left out for garbage collection, beginning with a brick that struck Bitton in the arm before throwing metal objects and a tree branch at him.
“I dodged all the objects he threw at me and blocked them with my arms. I have scrapes and scratches on both arms,” Bitton recalled. He later sought medical treatment for his injuries. The assault reportedly lasted for more than 30 minutes, yet no bystanders came to his aid.
Bitton expressed deep disappointment over the indifference of those who witnessed the attack.
“There were dozens of witnesses at the bus stop, on the bus, across the street, and at the place where it all started. Nobody lifted a finger to help,” he said.
He noted that the only person who attempted to intervene was one of the retail tenants at the property he manages, who came outside after seeing the attacker wielding the parking marker and tried to keep the two separated.
Asked why he did not physically defend himself, Bitton explained that he feared becoming the one arrested.
“There are people who tell me I should have knocked him out,” he said. “I said: ‘Absolutely not. Then I would have been arrested, he would have been released, and I would have ended up being the bad guy in the story.’ That’s why I made sure to stay about 3 to 5 meters away from him.”
Toronto Police responded to the scene and arrested the suspect. Authorities identified him as 58-year-old Abdulkadir Al-Jilani of Toronto. He has been charged with three counts of assault with a weapon and one count of uttering death threats. Police are investigating whether the attack was motivated by hatred.
Toronto Police stated that when a criminal offense such as assault or property damage is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice, or hatred, investigators may consult with prosecutors to seek recognition of the hate motive as an aggravating factor during sentencing if a conviction is secured.
Following the attack, Bitton shared his anguish in a Facebook post, writing, “This is not the Canada I have lived in for the past 64 years.”
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