Toronto police say its hate crime unit is investigating a fire at a Jewish-owned grocery store that was also spray-painted with the words "Free Palestine."

Police say the fire is being probed as suspected hate-motivated arson. The graffiti is being probed as a possible hate crime.

Staff Supt. Pauline Gray, spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, told reporters on Wednesday that International Delicatessen Foods, on Steeles Avenue West near Petrolia Road, was targeted.

"I've been a criminal investigator the vast majority of my career, and in most of those criminal investigations, there was a tipping point. This is this tipping point," Gray said near the scene. 

"This is not graffiti on a bus shelter. This is not lawful protest protected by constitutional right. This is a criminal act. It is violent, it is targeted, it is organized, and it will receive the weight of the Toronto Police Service to exactly what it deserves," she added.

"We will leave no stone unturned. We will use all the resources available to us to investigate, arrest and prosecute who is responsible for this."

Earlier on Wednesday, the owner of the business confirmed to CBC Toronto that he is Jewish and said he believes the vandalism is an act of antisemitism.

The business's name is displayed as the acronym "IDF" in large red letters above the building's entrance. IDF is also the acronym for Israel Defence Forces, who are currently waging war in the Gaza Strip.

The business had its windows broken in the incident, but no one was reported to be injured.

In a statement on Wednesday, the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto said it is "outraged and deeply concerned" about the incident. The federation urged Toronto residents to take a stand and speak up against growing antisemitism in the city.

"Such an act of hate-motivated arson would be the result of three months of escalating hate and intimidation against Toronto's Jewish community. History demonstrates that violent words lead to violent actions. This must end now," it said.

Source - CBC