Latest news with #WalkWithIsrael
Toronto Sun
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Letters to the Editor, May 29, 2025
CHOW MISSING…AGAIN 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 Sunday was the annual Walk With Israel in Toronto. More than 56,000 people were there in support, but we were missing one — the mayor of Toronto, Olivia Chow. Once again she snubs the Jewish community, as she has done before. She seems to skip many things to do with the Jewish community. It's a sad day when this is acceptable. This used to be a wonderful city — not now. Norman Shifman Toronto (Chow has made her choices – as wrong as they are. It's important to remember this when it comes time for her re-election bid. On this alone, she doesn't deserve another term) KING'S CANADA It has been a long time coming. The King has finally responded to Donald Trump, and his reply did not come remotely, it was delivered from the very land of the 'strong and free.' The condition that Canada must either pay $61 billion to join Trump's Golden Dome or become the 51st state to receive it for free should now defuse itself. The message to our southern neighbour could not have been clearer than the King's arrival and his powerful speech. With his words affirming Canada's sovereignty, he has reinforced the nation's independent path, signalling that its decisions will not be dictated by external pressure. His presence and address serve as an historic moment, reminding the world that Canada stands firm in its identity and future direction. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Anas Khan Beaumont, Alta. (It was indeed a strong and clear message — but have you noticed since the election the Liberals' elbows down approach?) CANADA ON ITS OWN Are we Canadian or not? Having King Charles coming to Canada for the throne speech is acceptable? So much for the recent surge of being Canadian. We need to stick to our own identity and not be skirt-tied to the British monarchy. Time to separate from them, rather than Quebec and Alberta rattling the separation movement. No wonder they see no unity in Canada! Bill Sholdice Mississauga (The public remains split about the monarchy. But don't expect any movement to sever ties any time soon) Canada Toronto & GTA Columnists Tennis Columnists
Toronto Sun
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
WARMINGTON: If a grenade doesn't go off in a crowd, does it mean it wasn't real?
Many wonder if a hand grenade noticed along the Walk With Israel event Sunday was real Get the latest from Joe Warmington straight to your inbox It's unknown if it was real or not, but many in the Walk With Israel saw what appeared to be a hand grenade on a pro-Hamas supporter. Photo by Supplied Hundreds of armed police officers, 56,000 participating in the Walk With Israel, and one pro-Hamas supporter with a hand grenade. 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 It was quite a sight — and, thankfully, there was no terror attack. It's still undetermined if it was real or fake, this green camouflage item which appeared to be the weapon of war that can cause casualties to about 15 metres in any direction after it explodes. But what is known is there is no other public event where something like this would be tolerated. There certainly was no shortage of police on hand to investigate. There has been no reports of arrests or seizures concerning this grenade so far. This offers up yet another example of how Hamas supporters are given so much leeway in Toronto. From occupying Union Station and intersections, and stores and campuses, to halting Ontario's sustenance supply by blocking the food terminal while dressed to look like jihadist terrorists — like they did Sunday before the walk — they do whatever they want, when they want, to whomever they want. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Mostly they do it without ramifications — many times, under police escort and protection. One of the pictures sent to the Sun of the item appearing to be a hand grenade that was noticed at the Walk With Israel. Supplied photo Maybe it wasn't a live grenade? Perhaps something from a film set or a novelty store? Even with all of those police officers on the scene, the masked-up-to-be-anonymous guy with the grenade was given the benefit of the doubt. Was it real or not? We may never know since, from all accounts gathered to this point, police did not check. 'I told police about it but they just were not interested,' said one of the people who saw the grenade chained to a man's clothing along the Walk With Israel event Sunday. Dressed in full disguise, this pro-Hamas supporter was along the side of the 56,000-strong Walk with Israel event on Sunday carrying what appeared to be a grenade. Photo by Supplied Another person said he went to two different police officers — one from the OPP and one from Toronto Police — and was told they were instructed to not engage with the pro-Palestine disrupters. Toronto Police, the OPP or Toronto Fire, which also had members creating a massive line in between walk participants and protesters, have not yet commented. 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. But numerous pictures and videos from the walk show this man, wearing pro-Palestine clothing and a face covering, having this item. 'If that thing is real and he threw it into a crowd of 56,000 people, there would have been lot of people dead today,' said one person. 'It's insane.' An OPP officer in the same frame with the man carrying what looks to be a hand grenade. Photo by Supplied If this was a starter's pistol or a replica gun, in another context, it's hard to imagine that person would not be taken to the ground and handcuffed – the way independent media often are while covering pro-Hamas events. With this appearance of a grenade, it seems the authorities were prepared to take a chance with their own lives and many others that it was a prop. Like the smoke canisters that are often let off into a crowd, it's a big risk to let people do whatever they choose in these settings. It's especially troublesome in light of the terror attack on two Israeli embassy employees in Washington, D.C. last week. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. As many as 50,000 people took to the streets of North York (seen in this file photo) last year for United Jewish Appeal's annual Walk With Israel event and the crowd is expected to be just as big for the UJA's 56th annual march on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Photo by Arlyn McAdorey / THE CANADIAN PRESS Prime Minister Mark Carney, Premier Doug Ford and Mayor Olivia Chow did not come to this walk but it would be hard to imagine someone displaying a grenade would be able to stand along the route unchecked if they had. Instead, police 'allowed antisemitic double standards against the Jewish community,' said Israel Now's Meir Weinstein, rightfully adding, 'They would never allow any group to disrupt the LGBT or Black communities. Why do they ignore the Jewish community?' Now, that said, this should not be taken as a harsh criticism of the Toronto Police's overall effort at the 56th UJA Walk With Israel. Everybody recognizes considering the challenges that, overall, police did a good job in what was an outstanding day for all involved. With just two arrests, and one before it started, it's importantly to say no one was hurt. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It was great,' said Councillor James Pasternak, who had raised concerns prior to the event. 'Massive police presence, great weather and the few protesters that were there were kept far away. All in all, a good day.' MP Melissa Lantsman on X wrote, 'Thank you to the organizers, law enforcement and most importantly our allies from so many other communities who showed up.' Proud, unafraid, and walking for those who are not here 🎗️ Honoured to be part of today's Walk with Israel 2025 in Toronto with 56,000 people strong — for freedom, for democracy and for the protection of our western values against the lawless mobs 💪🇨🇦🇮🇱 Thank you to… — Melissa Lantsman (@MelissaLantsman) May 25, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Fellow MP Roman Baber added: 'Amazing morning at the Walk With Israel in the heart of York Centre! Canada's Jewish community is alive and well.' But Baber didn't offer comments only through rose-coloured glasses -– he pointed out the pro-Hamas throng dressed in their war paint, carrying offensive signs and in full disguise. 'Why are they covering their faces?' he asked on X. 'What is their intention?' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. And perhaps more poignant is why are people permitted to wear disguises, display potential lethal weapons, or partake in terrorist cosplay and not receive the same response that you would see if it was done by a Freedom Convoy trucker or a defying owner of a barbecue restaurant? Read More You look at overhead photos of this walk and you notice a sea of Israel supporters in blue and white, a huge line of police from many services who came in on overtime, and very few pro-Palestine zealots compared to last year. But it's hard to overlook both the vitriolic and vulgar gauntlet choke point Jews had to walk through on the route and that a guy was nonchalantly permitted to have a hand grenade hanging from his uniform. It all goes back to leadership. Many leaders seem to look at the votes first and are prepared to ignore a grenade in their quest for power. jwarmington@ Protesters blockaded the Ontario Food Terminal for nearly three hours, leaving delivery trucks backed up along the demonstration conveys a message about food and aid trucks being targeted by Israel in Gaza. The group dispersed a few minutes before 4:00AM.… — Caryma Sa'd - Lawyer + Political Satirist (@CarymaRules) May 26, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ontario Football Football Columnists Money News
National Post
26-05-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Man arrested at Walk with Israel for 'yelling anti-semitic slurs': Toronto police
A man was arrested at the Walk with Israel in Toronto on Sunday for allegedly 'yelling anti-Semitic slurs at attendees.' Article content Article content The Toronto Police Service charged Tarek Ibrahem, 57, with mischief interference with property and causing a disturbance on Sunday afternoon, according to a news release. The case is being led by the city's Hate Crime Unit. Article content 'Wilful promotion of hatred and advocating genocide are hate propaganda (hate speech) offences which require the Attorney General's consent to lay charges. These charges are often laid at a later time,' police said. 'If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the Judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.' Article content The annual event held in a predominantly Jewish neighbourhood in northern Toronto drew over 50,000 participants, many carrying Israeli and Canadian flags. The largest crowd of anti-Israel protesters was stationed at the intersection of Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue, a block shy of the walk's endpoint at the Prosserman Jewish Community Centre (JCC). Ibrahem was arrested just south of the intersection at York Downs Drive. Article content Article content 'We investigate every reported instance of hate, including those that occur at demonstrations. As we've shown in the past, charges can be laid at any time – days or even weeks after an incident – as evidence is gathered. We remain committed to holding individuals accountable,' Sayer said in a statement. Article content
Epoch Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Tens of Thousands Take Part in Toronto's ‘Walk With Israel'
TORONTO—Crowds waving Israeli flags showed their support for the Jewish state in Toronto on May 25, in an event organizers say featured some 56,000 people joining the United Jewish Appeal's Walk With Israel. The event, held annually since 1970, came a few days after two Israeli Embassy staffers were Various allies of the Jewish community participated in the May 25 walk, including Salman Sima, a former Iranian political prisoner now living in Toronto, who said he joined some 200 other Iranians who took part. (L-R) Sima Dini, Guidy Mamann, Salman Sima, and Taimaz Hafezi take part in the United Jewish Appeal's annual Walk With Israel event in Toronto on May 25, 2025. Dave Gordon for The Epoch Times He held a sign that said 'we stand with Yaron Lischinsky,' referring to one of the two people murdered in Washington last week outside the Israeli Embassy. Sima said the Toronto event had 'very positive vibes,' and added that he believes Iranians and the Jewish people have common ground in battling Islamic extremists. 'We share the same pain and the same cause,' he said. 'This is real unity and we show it in action.' Related Stories 5/22/2025 5/7/2025 The 3.7-kilometre walk began at Temple Sinai off Bathurst Street and Wilson Avenue in North York, and ended at the Sherman Campus, known as the Jewish community centre, near Sheppard Avenue, where there were various entertainers and exhibitors. According to the Jewish Virtual Library, Ontario's Jewish population is roughly 212,000, nearly 60 percent of all Jews in Canada, while about 180,000 of those are in the Toronto area. Law Enforcement The event also drew about 300 counter-protesters, many waving Palestinian flags and walking through the street, bookended by Toronto police. Police People take part in the United Jewish Appeal's annual Walk With Israel event in Toronto on May 25, 2025. Dave Gordon for The Epoch Times In light of continued protests at Jewish places of worship and neighbourhoods, and even shootings at Jewish schools and acts of vandalism against Jewish-owned businesses, some participants in the Walk With Israel said they wanted more coordination from the police to separate the counter-protesters. In one incident, police tried to remove parade participant Noah David Alter, who confronted a counter-protester at the Holocaust memorial at Earl Bales Park. Alter told The Epoch Times that he decided to confront the person because he 'didn't think that was appropriate.' In a Participant Lana Kogan said despite mentions of 'designated areas' for the counter-protesters by police, there were anti-Israel protesters who walked in the same area as parade participants. 'It was a provocation. Who gave them permission to go with us? Was it approved by police?' Kogan said. Guidy Mamann, president of the Toronto Zionist Council, said the anti-Israel counter-protesters were 'far enough away from us,' though they were shouting things that to him that were 'distasteful, things that are untrue, things that are provocative,' and even 'racist.' Still, he said he was surprised there was no intervention by law enforcement to prevent counter-protesters on both sides of the street. 'So a lot of hate-filled messages [were said] in stereo. Really, they should have kept them all on one side of the street and created a buffer zone, but that didn't happen. But thank God, as far as I know, nothing serious happened,' Mamann said. 'The truth is, if you're going to be Jewish in a community like ours, in a multicultural community like ours, unfortunately, we don't have a choice.' Mamann later directed the pro-Israel rally at Bathurst St. and Sheppard Ave., as he's done for the 86th week in a row. Police had set up barriers around some areas of the walk. Deputy Chief Pogue said the police uphold the 'right to peaceful assembly and expression, but intimidation, harassment, hate speech, or criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.' 'We are committed to maintaining public order, enforcing the law and ensuring that everyone can exercise their rights lawfully and without fear,' she said. Counter-protesters holding Palestinian flags gather along the route of the United Jewish Appeal's annual Walk With Israel, in Toronto on May 25, 2025. The Canadian Press/Arlyn McAdorey 'The Streets Came Alive' Eynat Katz, a clinical psychologist, said the walk was 'nothing short of extraordinary.' 'To walk shoulder-to-shoulder with 56,000 proud Zionists, each with their heads held high and hearts full of pride, was an unforgettable experience. The streets came alive,' she said, in 'voices united in strength, resilience, and unwavering love for Israel.' Katz added that the 'energy was electric—a powerful display of unity, identity, and hope' and that for her, the event symbolized coming together 'as one people, with one voice, standing tall for the Jewish homeland.' Tafsik, a Toronto-based civil rights organization launched in February 2024, said it had brought about 1,200 people to join in the event, from various ethnic communities, including Hindu, Christian, Yazidi, and Iranian. Olga Goldberg told The Epoch Times that 'the walk brought all the best that the community has to offer: family, friendship, and Jewish pride.'
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Hateful graffiti cleared from Vancouver's Burrard Bridge after Walk With Israel event
Anti-Israel graffiti made on the Burrard Bridge prior to Sunday's 'Walk With Israel' event was being cleared by the City of Vancouver Sunday evening. A clean-up operation is in place to remove anti-Israel graffiti sprayed on the Burrard Bridge prior to the annual Walk With Israel protest on Sunday. The annual event, which sees demonstrations and protests occur throughout the country to show support for Israel and the Zionist Jewish community, was set to take place between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday. The graffiti saw multiple bridge beams defaced with 'Gaza' spray painted in red and other hateful words and symbols, including the anti-Israel symbol of an inverted red triangle. Maria Kleiner, event organiser for the walk, said the graffiti was 'hurtful' to the dozens of people who had set out Sunday morning to embark on their planned, peaceful walk. 'The graffiti is pro-violence, so obviously it is very unpleasant to see,' she said. Kleiner said the group carried out the walk as planned and it 'went well' despite the obvious attempt to hinder the event. 'We were in really good spirits with our friends from other communities, the Iranian community, the Indian community and the Christian community. They all came to support us,' she said. 'We are very grateful for that, so in a sense it still ended on a positive note.' In a statement Sunday evening, the City of Vancouver said a graffiti removal crew was deployed to the defaced section of the bridge Sunday afternoon, and a 'removal is currently underway.' 'While the City of Vancouver recognizes the right to free speech and peaceful protest, we as a city do not tolerate acts of hate or discrimination,' the statement said. According to the city, the majority of graffiti is removed during regularly scheduled, on-going patrols of Vancouver. While graffiti removal requests placed through the city's 311 line are typically responded to within a week, there is an expedited response process for hate-related or racist graffiti, which is removed within 24 hours. Residents are encouraged to report graffiti on public property through our Van311 app or by calling 3-1-1 and can call 9-1-1 if they see vandalism in the act.
