Record Crowd Joins Toronto Walk With Israel: ‘We Can’t Let The Hate Win’

Some 60,000 people took part in Toronto’s annual Walk with Israel on Sunday, marking the largest turnout in the event’s 57-year history and turning the march into a major public show of Jewish solidarity.

The event, organized by the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, came as Canada’s Jewish community faces growing concern over antisemitic attacks targeting synagogues, schools, and Jewish-owned businesses since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Tens of thousands march in Toronto, Canada, in a solidarity march for Israel. ??❤️?? pic.twitter.com/NIAU0Vjc11

— Vivid.?? (@VividProwess) June 7, 2026

Marchers wearing blue and white walked the nearly four-kilometer route, singing, dancing, and waving Israeli flags. Organizers describe the Walk with Israel as Canada’s largest Jewish community gathering.

“We can’t let the hate win. We have to be brave. We can’t be scared. We can’t let the intimidation stop us,” said Josh Ublansky, a teacher who joined the march with a pride flag featuring the Star of David tied around his neck.

Toronto Police deployed a significant presence along the route after warning ahead of the march that officers would be there to keep participants safe and ensure demonstrators followed the law. Several dozen anti-Israel protesters gathered at an intersection along the route, waving Palestinian flags and signs condemning Israel’s war in Gaza.

Police stood between the protesters and marchers as both sides shouted at each other. Some participants tried to block the demonstrators with a large Israeli flag, while others played dance music to drown out their chants. Police reported six arrests by late Sunday afternoon.

For many participants, the march carried added weight this year because of the recent wave of antisemitic incidents in Toronto and other Canadian cities. Some said friends stayed away because they were afraid to attend a large Jewish public event.

“This year it’s more important than ever to come to Walk with Israel to support the community, to show up, to stop hatred and show ourselves,” said Alexander Khemlin, who immigrated to Canada from Israel in 2014.

The security concerns were underscored by recent vandalism at Mishkan Avraham Synagogue in North York, where a window was smashed shortly before the Walk with Israel, according to reports.

Sara Lefton, chief development officer of the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, said organizers worked closely with police and security officials before the march.

“The unfortunate part is that we require a tremendous amount of security,” she said.

UJA leaders framed the turnout as a statement that Toronto’s Jewish community would not retreat from public life. Adam Minsky, president and CEO of UJA Federation, said the march showed that “hate will not define us.”