A record crowd marched through the north end of Toronto on Sunday to celebrate the 56th annual Walk for Israel, but the family friendly mood was shaken when a small group of pro-Hamas protestors tried to block the route.Toronto Police say roughly 100 demonstrators gathered near Bathurst Street, waving Palestinian flags and shouting anti-sematic slogans at the walkers. Officers formed a barrier to keep the groups apart. Shortly before noon, one man was arrested for allegedly hurling antisemitic slurs at participants. .He faces a charge of causing a disturbance, and investigators are treating the incident as a possible hate crime.The United Jewish Appeal (UJA), which organizes the event, said about 56,000 people took part — the largest turnout since the walk began in 1970. Organizers called the march a show of unity and resilience in a year marked by rising antisemitism and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.The six kilometre route started at Temple Sinai Congregation and went north along Bathurst to the UJA’s Sherman Campus. .Along the way, the walkers saw two musical acts, rapper Kosha Dillz and a cappella group Six13. Survivors of the October 7 Nova Music Festival attack in Israel led a minute of silence at the finish line.UJA president Adam Minsky said the event raised more than $670,000 by mid-afternoon for community programs in Toronto and for Israeli cities hit hard by the conflict.
