The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is facing sharp criticism from the Jewish community over its new staff jerseys designed to celebrate the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The jerseys feature an inverted red triangle on the shoulders, a symbol that Jewish leaders say evokes the red triangle used in Hamas propaganda videos and in acts of antisemitic vandalism targeting Jewish homes and institutions.
Symbolism Under Scrutiny
Since late 2023, the inverted red triangle has been widely employed by Hamas in its propaganda to mark individuals and targets for attack. The symbol has since appeared in Western protests and in vandalism against Jewish properties. Jewish leaders argue that the TTC's use of this motif is tone-deaf and potentially harmful, especially given the rise in antisemitic incidents in Toronto.
Community Reactions
Talia Klein Leighton, president of Canadian Women Against Antisemitism, expressed concern over the design. "Everybody has Google, Grok, Gemini, and can check in 10 seconds if there are any cultural or political references," she said. "Like at best, it’s an oversight. At worst, somebody is targeting the Jews with their shirt design." She added that the TTC should take the matter seriously, as employees would be wearing the symbol while on duty.
Toronto Councillor James Pasternak, whose York Centre district is home to a large Jewish population, told the Post he wondered "how it (the red triangle) contributed to the jersey design, and whether a member of the anti-Israel mob inside the TTC or one of its suppliers played a sick trick. I’m going to look into it."
Matthew Taub, director of the advocacy group Unapologetically Jewish, called the design "more than just tone-deaf." He noted that Toronto has one of the largest Jewish populations in Canada, and the community is already on edge due to a sharp rise in harassment and intimidation. "It suggests that no one in the decision‑making chain paused to ask what it might resemble," Taub said. "Even my own (group’s) logos and apparel, five pairs of eyes see it, several times over, before we all sign off on it. I don’t think this was missed. I think it was intentional."
Jon Fraser, a technology executive, commented on social media: "Not only is that an incredibly poor use of money for an organization perpetually crying for cash, but the upside triangle looks like the Hamas symbol used to target people for death."
Financial Concerns
The controversy comes as the TTC frequently warns about budget shortfalls and service constraints. Critics question the decision to spend money on bespoke jerseys while the transit system is cash-strapped. The image of a financially struggling organization rolling out custom shirts has drawn additional scrutiny.
The Post learned of the story from a photo posted on X by Caryma Sa’ad, a Toronto lawyer and video archivist, who captured the new jersey on June 3. The TTC has yet to issue a formal response to the criticism.
