Members of Toronto’s Jewish community marched through the streets of the Queen City on Sunday to show their support for Israel. The police forces were also there in large numbers, in addition to several counter-protesters.
At the end of the afternoon, the police reported six arrests during the demonstration. They declined to comment on the circumstances of the arrests or confirm whether these people will face charges.
L’United Jewish Appeala Jewish philanthropic organization, held its fifth Walk with Israel
annual. The demonstration route stretched over a distance of five kilometers in the north of the city.
Protesters waved Israeli flags and posters depicting people held hostage by Hamas since October 7.
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The Walk With Israel march took place Sunday in Toronto.
Photo: The Canadian Press / Arlyn McAdorey
The Toronto Police Service has said it wants avoid confrontations
by designating certain areas for counter-protesters. Before the demonstration, police announced that anyone engaging in criminal behavior would be placed under arrest. Officers from several police forces were also present. Much of Bathurst Street had been blocked off in preparation for the march.
Marchers encountered two groups of counter-protesters within the first hour of the march. Screams Free Palestine
And Bring back [les otages]
intermingled when demonstrators and counter-protesters crossed paths.
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Protesters and counter-protesters were separated by a heavy police presence.
Photo: The Canadian Press / Arlyn McAdorey
Police officers parked a bus to separate the two groups.
A group that organized one of the counter-protests refused to grant an interview to The Canadian Press.
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At least two separate groups of counterprotesters were present.
Photo: The Canadian Press / Arlyn McAdorey
Before the demonstration, Noah Shackof United Jewish Appealsaid he expected to see tens of thousands of people come to show their resilience against the explosion of hatred
to which the Toronto Jewish community has been exposed since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.
Groups claiming to represent Jews who oppose the Israeli invasion of Gaza attempted to encourage members of the Jewish community to instead sit with students at a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the university campus from Toronto.
With information from The Canadian Press and CBC
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