TORONTO โ A Toronto-based pro-Israel legal forum scheduled for Feb. 2 has become the target of a public call for disruption by anti-Israel activist Dimitri Lascaris, according to statements circulated online and reviewed by Jewish community leaders.
Lascaris, a former political candidate and frequent critic of Israel, urged supporters of the Palestinian cause to disrupt the event, which is titled โIsrael Advocacy and International Law.โ The forum is organized by the Bayt Brotherhood International Law Committee in partnership with Wagner Sidlofsky LLP and features Natasha Hausdorff, a British barrister and expert on international law who has advised governments and institutions on Israel-related legal issues.
The event is scheduled to take place in Toronto on Feb. 2, with organizers noting that the location will be provided only to registered attendees. A VIP reception is planned ahead of the public program. The forumโs advertised topics include the legal definition of genocide, Canadian policy toward Israel, and the rise of antisemitism in Canada.
Lascarisโ call, posted to social media platforms, explicitly encouraged activists to attend with the intention of disrupting the proceedings. Screenshots of the statements have circulated widely within Jewish communal networks. Organizers said the comments were taken seriously, given the broader context of escalating protests, harassment, and attempted disruptions at Jewish and pro-Israel events across Canada since Oct. 7.
Event organizers declined to comment on specific security measures but confirmed that advance registration and ticketing requirements were implemented before the public call. Several Jewish organizations consulted by this outlet said the measures reflect standard precautions in the current climate rather than a response to any single incident.
Hausdorff, who is based in the United Kingdom, is widely known for challenging claims brought against Israel in international forums. According to her published work and public lectures, she focuses on the application of international humanitarian law to conflicts involving Israel, including counterterrorism operations in Gaza and Judea and Samaria. She has repeatedly argued that selective or distorted interpretations of international law have fueled antisemitism and undermined legal norms.
The organizers stated that the purpose of the event is educational and legal in nature. Promotional materials describe the forum as an opportunity to examine international law claims through primary legal sources and evidence-based analysis. The event is sponsored by multiple Jewish and pro-Israel organizations, as indicated on the official poster.
Jewish community leaders in Toronto said the call for disruption reflects a broader pattern in which pro-Israel speakers are targeted not through debate but through efforts to prevent events from proceeding. Several noted that similar tactics have been used against Jewish institutions, synagogues, and campus events in recent months.
Security experts contacted for this report said that public calls to disrupt lawful events can increase risks for attendees, even when framed as a protest. They stressed that Canadian law protects peaceful protest but does not permit harassment, intimidation, or interference with lawful assemblies.
Organizers emphasized that the event will proceed as planned and that attendees will be expected to follow venue rules and Canadian law. They also urged community members to rely on verified information and avoid speculation.
