Toronto’s “Walk with Israel” event took place amid heightened security, clashes with protesters

TORONTO — Thousands of Toronto’s Jewish community marched down a major city thoroughfare Sunday as part of an annual pro-Israel event that took place amid heightened security and protests along the route.

The United Jewish Appeal has organized the annual “Walk with Israel”, which involves a five kilometer walk and festival in the north end of the city.

The marchers, who were expected to turn out in record numbers, waved Israeli flags and carried posters of those taken hostage during the October 7 attack by Hamas that sparked the latest war with Israel.

The UJA estimated that 50,000 people attended, but Toronto police said they would not have an official estimate until the event was completely over on Sunday.

The march was accompanied by a heavy police presence and private security personnel, with a large section of Bathurst Street blocked off for the event. In the first hour of walking, the marchers encountered two groups of protesters, with the police using buses to prevent the demonstrators from watching the event.

Dueling chants of “free, free Palestine” and “bring them home” rang out as the groups crossed paths at the corner of Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue and several heated exchanges took place. The police formed barriers between the two groups and intervened in the confrontations.

Several pro-Palestinian protesters encountered along the march route declined requests for comment. Their placards and chants expressed opposition to Israel’s massive offensive in Gaza since October 7.

Noah Shack, of the United Jewish Appeal Federation of Greater Toronto, said the level of security surrounding the event was “a sad testament to where our city is right now.”

In an interview before the march began, he said there had been “an explosion of hatred” directed at Toronto’s Jewish community since the start of the most recent war, and that the event was a show of support and resistance.

Among the participants of the “Walk with Israel” were several people whose family members were taken hostage by Hamas.

Avichai Brodutch, whose wife and three children were released from captivity in November, said it was “very important for us to come to Toronto and meet the community and tell our story to the people of Canada.”

“It feels like home being here and seeing everyone come and show their support,” said Brodutch, whose brother lives in Toronto.

Brodutch said the community is also celebrating the rescue of four Israeli hostages from Gaza on Saturday.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said on Sunday that at least 274 Palestinians, including dozens of children, were killed in the rescue operation.

Toronto resident Maayan Shavit said her cousin is still being held hostage by Hamas.

“We’ve known from the beginning that she’s being held underground,” she said, adding that her family is hoping for a “miracle.”

Shavit said he wants the world to understand “that human beings are not for trade.”

“You don’t trade people… they’re not soldiers, they’re civilians.”

Several groups representing Jews who oppose Israel’s actions in Gaza urged members of the community to sit with students at a pro-Palestinian camp on the University of Toronto campus on Sunday.

“For a growing number of Jews here in Canada, witnessing the ongoing siege and assault on Gaza fills us with horror and pain at what is being done in our name,” said Jonathan Brown Gilbert, a graduate student at the University of Toronto in camp. an email statement the day before the march.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 9, 2024.

The Canadian Press