TORONTO — Over 60,000 people participated in the annual Walk With Israel event in Toronto on June 7, 2026, where six individuals were arrested during counter-protests near Earl Bales Park. The event, which began at Temple Sinai Congregation and proceeded down Bathurst Street, coincided with a reinforced Toronto Police Service presence.
The United Jewish Appeal Federation of Greater Toronto reported the attendance figure for the march. Participants in the Walk With Israel event waved Israeli, Canadian, and Lion-and-Sun Iranian flags. The event raised over $670,000 CAD, falling short of its fundraising goal of $780,000 CAD.
Toronto Police Service reinforced its ranks with officers from York Regional Police, Durham Regional Police, Peel Regional Police, and Ontario Provincial Police. Officers were deployed on foot, bicycle, and horseback along the march route and in surrounding neighborhoods. Toronto Police Service Deputy Chief Frank Barredo stated that counter-protesting was a legal right, but he warned that intimidation, harassment, and threats would not be tolerated.
The arrests included John Eusebio, 35, who was charged with assaulting an officer after allegedly spitting at the officer. Ghada Hamouda, 60, was charged with obstructing an officer for refusing to remain within the designated counter-protest zone. Another individual, Diana Bosco, 39, was charged with obstructing an officer for allegedly attempting to provoke pro-Israel marchers. Ali Reza Hojjati, 40, faced an assault charge after allegedly spitting on a march participant during a verbal confrontation. One woman was arrested for breach of the peace and later released, and one man was issued a ticket under aviation regulations for operating a drone in the area.
Counter-protesters gathered near Earl Bales Park for an assembly called Walk Against Israel. Video recordings from the counter-protest show individuals chanting 'intifada' at passing participants. Organizers of Walk Against Israel stated, "Simply being there and holding a Palestinian flag was more than enough."