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Lawsuit alleges Montreal police ‘fabricated’ account of man’s arrest during pro-Palestinian protest

Joe Lofaro | October 23, 2026

“Jewish expression, including the peaceful display of an Israeli flag, is entitled to the same protection as any other lawful expression,” said Benjamin Ryberg, a lawyer and chief operating officer at The Lawfare Project, a New York-based organization that advocates for the rights of members of the Jewish community through legal action.

“The Lawfare Project is supporting this case because the answer to hostility toward that expression cannot be to silence or remove the person exercising those rights.”

Montreal man sues police over arrest at cycling event, alleges false reports

Abby McLaughlin | October 23, 2026

A Montreal man arrested while holding an Israeli flag at an international cycling race last year is suing the city and four police officers for more than $86,000, alleging excessive force and false reports about what led to his arrest.

Daniel Bercovici was charged with obstructing a police officer after the encounter at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal. The charge was withdrawn more than 10 months later. His civil lawsuit now challenges the officers’ version of events, relying in part on video filmed by a man attending a pro-Palestinian demonstration nearby.

Montreal man sues city after being arrested while holding Israeli flag

JNS Staff | October 25, 2026

“I went to a cycling race to support an Israeli team. I should have been able to do that peacefully and safely,” Bercovici told the outlet.

The team subsequently rebranded as NSN Cycling Team for the 2026 season.

Montreal police declined to comment to CTV because the case is before the court.

“His obstruction charge was withdrawn after the prosecutor reviewed video evidence. Who answers for that?” Bercovici’s lawyer, Neil G. Oberman, wrote on X on Friday.

“Jewish expression, including the peaceful display of an Israeli flag, is entitled to the same protection as any other lawful expression,” said Benjamin Ryberg, chief operating officer of The Lawfare Project. “The Lawfare Project is supporting this case because the answer to hostility toward that expression cannot be to silence or remove the person exercising those rights.”

The Lawfare Project is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and a registered non-profit organization. Donations are deductible under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code.

If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation in Canada, please click here to donate to our Canadian charity, the Lincoln Centre for Human Rights Research.

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