MONTREAL โ A video widely shared on social media shows a group of anti-Israel demonstrators, some wearing costumes, entering a downtown Montreal Starbucks and preventing customers from placing orders, a scene that has drawn condemnation from Jewish and pro-Israel groups as an intimidatory show of force.
The footage, posted to platforms including X, shows several people moving through a store and surrounding the counter area while patrons appear unable or unwilling to order. Posts accompanying the video describe the demonstrators as supporters of Hamas and as part of a pro-Palestinian action targeting the coffee chain. The clip has been reshared thousands of times and has sparked a heated online debate.
Hamas loyalists in Montreal take over a Starbucks in Montreal in costumes & prevent customers from placing their orders. pic.twitter.com/OMpl40vo9z
— Leviathan (@l3v1at4an) October 26, 2025
Local Jewish community leaders said the episode is part of a worrying pattern of aggressive protests that cross the line from peaceful demonstration to direct harassment of ordinary customers. โTargeting customers and preventing them from buying a product is intimidation,โ one community spokesperson said in comments posted to social media. โWhen protesters physically block service, it creates real fear for Jewish patrons and for anyone caught in the middle.โ
Starbucks and the union that represents many of its North American baristas have been at the center of controversy since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, with social media posts and solidarity actions prompting both boycotts and counterprotests in multiple cities. Corporate officials in other jurisdictions have condemned violence and urged respect for peaceful protest while also taking steps to protect staff and customers.
The Montreal footage appears to be one of several high-visibility actions in the city since October. Video from other demonstrations in Montreal shows large marches and noisy confrontations in public squares and transit areas, illustrating an intensified protest environment that local authorities have at times struggled to manage. Organizers of pro-Palestinian rallies say they aim to draw attention to Gaza; critics say some tactics have become disruptive and threatening to bystanders.
Police and Starbucks representatives had not issued detailed public statements about the specific incident at the time of reporting. There was no immediate indication in mainstream media reports that arrests were made in connection with the video. Community watchdogs and local journalists nevertheless flagged the clip and urged authorities and the company to clarify whether staff or customers had been threatened or harmed.
Legal and security experts say disrupting business operations and preventing paying customers from accessing services can cross into unlawful conduct. โThe right to protest is fundamental,โ a lawyer who studies public-order law said, โbut it does not include the right to forcibly prevent others from going about their lawful business or to terrorize bystanders.โ Such incidents can lead to trespass, obstruction, or public-order charges depending on the circumstances.
For pro-Israel and Jewish groups, the symbolism matters. Starbucks has repeatedly tried to distance itself from political controversies involving union statements and pro-Palestinian messaging, but activists say visible actions in stores send a chilling message to Jewish customers who fear being singled out or prevented from accessing services. Community leaders urged Starbucks to protect staff and patrons and called on Montreal police to ensure public safety in commercial spaces.
Starbucks faces a difficult operational challenge. The company must balance employees’ rights to free expression with the need to keep stores safe and welcoming. In other countries, the chain has sought to clarify corporate positions and work with local authorities when protests threaten store operations. In Montreal, Jewish groups asked for an immediate corporate response and for police to make clear how such disruptions will be handled going forward.
The viral clip underscores a growing tension in Canadaโs largest cities between street protest movements and the daily lives of ordinary citizens. While robust debate and peaceful demonstration are essential to democratic life, community leaders stressed that demonstrations that obstruct private customers and create fear are unacceptable. They urged all parties to respect the safety and rights of bystanders.
This article is based on verified information from social media video postings, including X and Instagram reels documenting Montreal demonstrations, and on reporting about related Starbucks protests and corporate responses.