The streets of central Toronto pulsed with Israeli and Persian tunes on Sunday as 60,000 people converged to demonstrate solidarity with Israel and Canada’s Jewish community.
In response to surging Jew-hatred that has darkened Toronto over the last several months, a diverse crowd chose to march with the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s 57th Walk with Israel. Despite sometimes violent counter-protests on the march’s sidelines, this year’s walk attracted 4,000 more participants than last year, making it one of the largest public demonstrations of support for Israel in the world.
“We’re not afraid of anything, in spite of all the antisemitism that’s been going down, specifically here in Toronto,” said participant Shai Klein. “It gives us that much more reason to be here today and show that we’re not going to back down in the face of hatred, and that we’re going to show our pride. And we’re not leaving Toronto and Canada. We’re going to be proud Jews here and support the State of Israel no matter what.”
A great feel-good exercise that accomplishes nothing.
ReplyDeleteEven as the parade made its way down Bathurst St, police made sure that protestors screaming "Death to Israel" were not interfered with even thought they were violating laws like not protesting within 50 m of religious buildings or wearing masks while demonstrating.
Meanwhile since the Prime Minister made his "Canada is failing the Jews" speech two synagogues have been attacked.
And the very vast majority of people who attended will not have gone to shul this morning to pray to God for His assistance in our troubles which is the only really athentic way for Jews to protest their troubles.