6 arrested at the Walk With Israel event in Toronto

TORONTO — Police were out in force to prevent clashes at Sunday’s annual Walk With Israel in Toronto.

Organizers said this year’s turnout was the largest in the event’s history, estimating more than 60,000 people attended the march, now in its 57th year.

Sara Lefton, chief development officer at UJA Federation, said the size of the crowd reflected both solidarity with Israel and concern about rising antisemitism in Canada.

“For the Jewish community, we’ve seen more hate in recent years than ever before directed at our community,” Lefton said. “And it’s not just a Jewish issue, this is an issue for all Canadians.”

She said organizers viewed the event as a message that “hate is not acceptable in our country” and described the walk as “a moment of unity and solidarity for the Jewish community and the people of Israel.”

Among those taking part was Mona Arablengh, an Iranian who rejected the idea that supporting Israel was a betrayal of Iranians.

Arablengh said the alliance was viewed negatively by Iran’s Islamic Republic government, but not by many Iranians themselves.

“For my people, no, it’s not a betrayal,” Arablengh said. She pointed to what she described as a long history between the two peoples and called Israel “a democratic country” whose values she supports. “We’re really proud to be friends with Israel,” she said.

But the walk was not without opposition. There were counter-protesters as well.

At one point during the walk, participants and counter-protesters were hurling insults at each other, separated by dozens of police officers and barricades.

Lefton rejected suggestions the event was divisive, saying it was meant to celebrate “shared values” including freedom and democracy.

The event comes amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East and repeated protests in Canada over the war in Gaza.

Police, who increased their presence this year, confirmed six people were arrested, including three men and three women:

1. John Eusebio, 35, of Toronto, was charged with assaulting a peace officer after he allegedly spat on officers after a verbal altercation. Police say the incident occurred after Eusebio and a group of protestors left the designated protest area and moved towards the walk route on Bathurst Street, prompting police to redirect him towards Earl Bales Park and he refused to comply. He is scheduled to appear in court on August 12.
2. Ghada Hamouda, 60, of Toronto, was charged with obstructing a peace officer after allegedly straying from the designated protest zone and refusing to comply after being told to return to the zone multiple times by officers on scene. Police say she was protesting the Walk. She is scheduled to appear in court on August 12.
3. Diana Bosco, 39, of Toronto, was also charged with obstructing a peace officer. Police say she was in the area to protest the Walk and she along with a group of protestors left the designated protest area and were observed allegedly trying to provoke those attending the Walk. Police say she refused to comply when she was told to return to the protest area multiple times by officers on scene. She is scheduled to appear in court on August 12.
4. Ali Reza Hojjati, 40, of Richmond Hill, was charged with assault after he allegedly became involved in a verbal argument with a protestor while attending the Walk. Police say he spat at the victim and their sign during the argument. He is scheduled to appear in court on September 2.
5. An unnamed woman was arrested for breach of the peace and later released. Police say she was allegedly agitating those participating in the Walk while displaying anti-Israel signage. She reportedly walked back and forth along the walk route displaying the signs and allegedly taunting participants which police say “escalated tensions” and led to a verbal confrontation between those attending the event and counter-protesters.
6. An unnamed man was investigated for operating a drone and was issued a ticket under Canadian Aviation Regulations.

With files from Dilshad Burman

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