Overview
- The UJA Federation’s annual Walk with Israel drew an estimated 60,000 people on Sunday, the largest turnout in the event’s 57-year history.
- Toronto Police mounted a very significant security operation along the 3.9-kilometre route from Temple Sinai to the UJA Sherman Campus, using uniformed officers, undercover teams and vehicle-mitigation measures to keep the route safe.
- Police reported six arrests during the day, with early incidents at Bathurst and Sheppard and additional detentions for alleged assault, obstruction and an illegal drone near the procession.
- Small groups of anti-Israel demonstrators gathered at several intersections and were kept apart from marchers by police cordons, producing shouting and brief skirmishes but no major breaches of the route.
- The event highlighted community safety concerns after a recent surge in antisemitic incidents across Toronto and Canada and is likely to increase pressure on officials to tighten protections for Jewish institutions and public gatherings.