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Canada Standard
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
Tens of thousands march in support of Israel in Toronto
TORONTO, Canada - Tens of thousands of people from across Canada have marched in support of Israel in a massive turnout in Toronto. The annual Walk with Israel organized by the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto comes in the face of rising calls for an end to the war in Gaza and return of the remaining hostages. Toronto Police put the numbers in attendance of the 56th annual event on Sunday at 56,000. "This was a significant day for our community," Ken Tanenbaum, chair of the UJA Feeration said Monday. "The strong turnout reflects our shared commitment to Israel and the strength of our diverse community here in Toronto," he said. Funds raised on the day will be sent to Israel to assist with humanitarian aid and for the communities most affected by the horrific Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023. "The Walk with Israel by UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and Toronto's Jewish community powerfully expresses Canadian Jewry's unwavering commitment to the State of Israel," William Kleinbaum, Managing Director, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, said Monday. "As the largest Jewish community in Canada, Toronto plays a central role in preserving Jewish identity and strengthening the unbreakable bond with Israel. In these challenging times in Israel and Canada, the walk sends a clear message of solidarity, hope, and resilience," Kleinbaum added. "What we witnessed today was more than a mass gathering; it was a declaration," Adam Minsky, president and CEO of the UJA Federation said Monday. "Thousands of Jewish Torontonians and allies came together to stand for democracy, peace, and the right of Jews to live safely in Israel and here, in Canada," Minsky continued. The UJA of Greater Toronto paid tribute to the attendees with a post on Facebook. " What a day! Thank you to the thousands who showed up to Walk with Israel, your energy, pride, and community spirit made this year's event unforgettable," the post said. "A special thank you to the Toronto Police, our security teams, and the incredible volunteers whose hard work and diligence ensured a safe and joyful day for all. Your dedication behind the scenes made it all possible." "To our community: we're so grateful. You walked, you danced, you celebrated, and most importantly, you showed up for Israel and each other," the UJA Facebook post said.
Toronto Sun
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
KINSELLA: Walk With Israel attracts huge crowd for peaceful march in Toronto
More than 56,000 people took part in the Walk With Israel on Sunday. (Naomi Parness Photo) More than 56,000 people — that's a record, for a peaceful march within the City of Toronto. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. 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. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. 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 Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Raptors victory parade in 2020 allegedly attracted 2 million people. The SARS concert at Downsview in 2003 brought together a reported half-million people. But for a march? The record for that seems to have happened on Sunday morning, when 56,000 Jews and Jewish allies marched along Bathurst St. to celebrate Israel and Canada. The 56th annual United Jewish Appeal's Walk With Israel is the largest event of its type in Canada, and is one of the biggest such events in the world. This year's march exceeded all expectations, organizers said — the mid-afternoon downpour notwithstanding. Recommended video 'This was a momentous day for our community,' said Ken Tanenbaum, who is the chair of UJA Federation for Greater Toronto. 'The large turnout is a testament to our shared commitment to Israel and to the strength of our diverse community in Toronto. At a time when Jewish communities around the world face rising hatred, today we walked together with pride and purpose.' And they did. The march kicked off at 9 a.m. with a singing of Canada's national anthem at Temple Sinai on Wilson Ave., and then travelled up Bathurst St. to the 270-acre Sherman Campus. There, families were treated to musical performers like rapper Kesha Dillz and a capella band Six13. Spotted in the crowd were notables like Minister of Emergency Preparedness Jill Dunlop, Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, rumoured mayoral candidate Brad Bradford, and AM640 radio hosts Ben Mulroney and Alex Pierson. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Said Mulroney on X: 'No masks, no anger, just pride, positivity and inclusion. Toronto's Walk With Israel was a manifestation of what Toronto can be once again.' Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw, who has been strongly criticized by the Jewish community for an ineffective approach to a wave of antisemitic crime that has buffeted the city, also made an appearance. Demkiw waded through the crowd on Bathurst St. early in the march, and no one could be seen shaking his hand or extending greetings. Meanwhile, Adam Minsky, president of the UJA Federation, said: 'What we saw today was more than just a large gathering. It was a declaration. Thousands of Jewish Torontonians and allies came together to stand for democracy, peace, and the right of Jews to live safely — in Israel and here in Canada. We are grateful for every person who walked shoulder-to-shoulder with us today.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. More than 56,000 people attended Sunday's Walk With Israel in Toronto. (VICTORIA MANCINELLI PHOTO) A small contingent of pro-Palestinian and pro-Hamas protesters showed up, as well, but numbered only a few dozen. A phalanx of police kept the anti-Israel types boxed in to two small areas along the march route. The protesters tried to engage the marchers, but were mostly ignored by those walking by. The Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel — in which 1,200 men, women, children and babies were slaughtered, and 250 people were kidnapped — was an important theme at the event. A survivor of the Nova Music Festival, where Hamas slaughtered 350 young people on Oct. 7, was also present. Donations to the event were used to pay for organization and rentals, as well as programs sponsored by UJA in Bat Yam, Sderot, and Eilat/Eilot — three Israeli communities hit particularly hard by the atrocities of Oct. 7. Toronto Blue Jays Columnists Sunshine Girls Toronto Blue Jays Toronto & GTA
