On Nov. 2, Toronto police arrested Gabriella Bodis, 67, during a demonstration near Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West.
Police allege Bodis engaged in a verbal altercation and threatened a pro-Palestinian demonstrator with a bottle containing ammonium hydroxide, a Category 1 chemical, meaning it is highly hazardous to humans.
Bodis was seen in a video shaking the bottle and removing the cap and motioning as if to spray the liquid toward the other person.
Toronto police intervened and arrested her. No injuries were reported.
The Toronto fire department arrived on scene shortly after to test the liquid and confirmed that it was a toxic substance that can severely damage the skin and respiratory system.
Bodis is charged with assault with a weapon and with weapons dangerous. She is scheduled to appear in court at 10 Armoury St. on Dec. 17.
At the time of her arrest, Bodis was wearing the insignia of Kahane Chai (Kach), which has been designated by Public Safety Canada as a terrorist group for its Jewish extremist views which include promoting violence against Arabs.
CORRECTION, Nov. 27, 2025: The online version of this article initially listed the wrong author.
This article appeared in the 2025 Dec – 2026 Jan issue.
