Over 50,000 supporters march in Walk With Israel rally in Toronto

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Over 50,000 supporters march in Walk With Israel rally in Toronto Buoyed by the recovery of four Israeli hostages in Gaza, a record-breaking number joined the annual Walk with Israel in Toronto on Sunday morning. Photo by Ari Blaff / National Post

Article content Buoyed by the recovery of four Israeli hostages in Gaza on Saturday, a record-breaking attendance of more than 50,000 people are believed to have joined the annual Walk with Israel in Toronto. We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Over 50,000 supporters march in Walk With Israel rally in Toronto Back to video We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Play Video “It’s incredibly important. We are a community that comes together. I think that’s been proven, especially since October 7,” Maureen Leshem, a cousin of Romi Gonen, an Israeli kidnapped from the Supernova music festival, told the National Post ahead of Sunday morning’s rally.

Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Get email updates from your favourite authors. Don't have an account? Create Account or Sign in without password New , a new way to login View more offers

Article content “I think the other remarkable thing about today is that we have a high Iranian community that has shown up for us; Christian community that has shown up for us, as well. It’s extraordinary. It’s extremely meaningful,” Leshem added. Oh hi there @DahliaKurtz ❤️

Great to walk with you in solidarity at today’s #WalkForIsrael in Toronto! pic.twitter.com/a0OeGTsUxv — Goldie Ghamari, MPP | گلسا قمری (@gghamari) June 9, 2024

Channel Israel Columnist Jesse Kline keeps you up to date with what’s happening in Israel and the effects of antisemitism on life here in Canada. Friday mornings. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Channel Israel will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content The march, organized by the United Jewish Appeal (UJA), also featured survivors from Kibbutz Be’eri, an Israeli community on the border with Gaza that suffered heavy casualties following the Oct. 7 invasion by Hamas. “It makes us remember again, as always, that the Jewish people have been here for thousands of years, and we’re here to stay, and we have a very big mission to do in Israel, and there’s a mission to do here in the face of hatred,” one female member of the devastated community told the Post. The survivor said that it was encouraging to hear about Saturday’s rescue of four Israelis abducted by Hamas but that it remained “difficult at the same time.” “We still have 120 of them being held hostage and having their freedom taken away from them,” she said. “But each and every one of them that we get to release, that’s a huge comfort for every one of us.” Noah Shack, the vice president countering antisemitism and hate with the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, was blown away by the attendance, which Toronto Police initially estimated to be well over 40,000, though the figures climbed as the day progressed. In a press release published Sunday afternoon, UJA projected that the number eclipsed 50,000.

Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content “It is record-breaking attendance,” Shack told the Post. “We’ve been doing this event for the last 55 years and it’s just an unprecedented show of support from the Jewish community and beyond the Jewish community. It’s really inspiring to see.” Incredible! Tens of thousands of people in Toronto are walking for Israel 💙🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/yi7jOrry9w — Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) June 9, 2024

Advertisement 5 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content On Saturday, local law enforcement arrested Jonathan Szeftel, a 33-year-old man, for throwing a rock at a synagogue in Toronto, destroying a window. The skyrocketing levels of antisemitism in Canada were at the forefront of Shack’s mind. “I never thought that we would see anything like this here in Canada. It’s absolutely shameful that this kind of a situation is facing anyone here, but in this case, particularly the Jewish community. We’re very grateful for the Toronto Police Service.” A large police presence was scattered along the marching route on sections of Bathurst Street, a historically Jewish neighbourhood in Toronto, as interactions with counter-protesters were relatively tame. On at least one occasion, law enforcement used buses to block the two contingents from directly engaging with one another. A couple of dozen anti-Israel demonstrators lined the path at various points carrying Palestinian flags and loudspeakers. On several occasions, counter-protesters chanted at the mostly Canadian Jewish crowd to, “Go back to Europe! Leave Palestine alone!” Thank you @TorontoPolice for keeping us safe as we walked in solidarity with our Jewish neighbours in support of our democratic ally. 🇨🇦🇮🇱 @UJAWalk pic.twitter.com/BNyOmmIgqs — Kevin Vuong (@KevinVuongMP) June 9, 2024

Advertisement 6 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content One pro-Israel passerby encouraged fellow marchers not to get distracted by the counter-protester presence. “You can’t fix stupid. You’re fighting the wrong way if you’re trying to reason with them. I might as well reason with the bus,” the middle-aged man joked, pointing to the anti-Israel activists. “There’s no way to get through to them. There’s no way you can reason with them.” Recommended from Editorial Mother of kidnapped Israeli recounts horror of last phone call Hamas releases two US hostages to refute ‘fascist’ Biden administration

Share this article in your social network