Montreal resident files lawsuit over arrest while displaying Israeli flag at bike race

At the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal on September 14, 2025, Daniel Bercovici, a 47-year-old supporter of the Israel-Premier Tech team, was arrested while holding an Israeli flag. He claims police officers approached him without provocation, pinned him to the ground, and performed an illegal search before taking him into custody. In a lawsuit filed in late August, Bercovici seeks $86,301 in compensatory and punitive damages, arguing that the officers’ account was written from memory hours later and omitted any notes.

He was initially charged with obstructing a peace officer, but the charge was later dropped after a prosecutor examined defense video footage. Bercovici’s attorney highlighted the importance of protecting peaceful political expression, and the Lawfare Project announced its support for the case. Montreal police have declined comment, citing the ongoing court proceedings.