A demonstration calling for the release of all hostages being held captive in the Gaza Strip by Hamas saw thousands show up to the event, including prominent politicians seeking to express their solidarity.
At the same event, Rebel News journalist David Menzies was arrested after attempting to question pro-Palestinian counter-demonstators.
A series of Jewish-Canadian organizations hosted a Sunday event at Nathan Phillips Square in front of Toronto City Hall to campaign for the release of the over 130 Israeli hostages currently being held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The crowd was filled with people from a variety of backgrounds
Organizers passed out signs that read “Let my people go now!” with a list of crimes Hamas had committed printed on the back.
The event was headlined by vocally pro-Israel politicians including Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, independent MP Kevin Vuong, and Progressive Conservative MPP Goldie Ghamari.
Introduced by his deputy leader Melissa Lantsman, Poilievre emphasized the importance of standing with Canada’s Jewish community during troubling times and against Hamas, whom he calls a “homicidal, genocidal, death cult.”
“Many have already been killed – the biggest attack against the Jewish people since the Shoah (Holocaust). And may all those that have been lost may their memories be a blessing to us all, may they not have died in vain, may we have the courage to stand with them abroad, and may we also have the courage to stand up against the violence and extremism at home,” said Poilievre as the crowd erupted in cheers.
Poilievre went on to denounce attacks and harassment against members of the Jewish community and emphasized the necessity for the Israeli government to destroy Hamas.
PC MPP Goldie Ghamari took to the stage to make note of the solidarity Iranians have with the people of Israel, pointing out some of the old-style Iranian flags with the lion and sun in the crowd.
“Let me tell you something. There is one country in the Middle East that has not had a spontaneous pro-Hamas rally. Do you know what country that is? Iran!” said Ghamari.
“After October 7, the hashtag Iranians stand with Israel was trending all over the world. That is a trend that started in Iran because you know what Iranians did? They raised the flag of Israel which is a crime punishable by death. But Iranians did that in Iran in support of their Jewish allies.
Independent MP Kevin Vuong took the stage as the only non-Conservative politician, expressing concern with the targeting of Jewish neighborhoods, businesses, and schools.
In an exclusive comment to True North, Vuong condemned his provincial and municipal counterparts who have failed to stand with Canada’s Jewish community.
“It’s shameful that my provincial and municipal counterparts have been silent. They’ve turned a blind eye to it. That is unacceptable and they are failing in their duty to stand up for the people that we represent,” said Vuong.
Vuong did not pull his punches in criticizing Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and city councillors
“The bare minimum in even just speaking out and condemning blatant acts of antisemitism are things they are failing to do. Where are they? Where is the mayor? Why has she been silent when Torontonians, people in the very city that she represents have been harassed, have been assaulted, when local businesses have been firebombed, vandalized. Where is she?”
The event also saw a handful of pro-Palestinian counter demonstrators taunting supporters for Israel, calling for a ceasefire and “intifada revolution” with one sign stating “Hamas = Palestinian resistance movement.”
When trying to question some of the pro-Palestinian counter-demonstrators, Rebel News journalist David Menzies was placed under arrest after he was allegedly punched by one of the pro-Palestine protesters.
As he was being placed in the back of a police van, Menzies complained that pro-Palestinian protesters were able to chant for genocide and wear fake suicide bomb vests while avoiding facing arrest from the police.
Menzies has been released from police custody, though he faces a trespassing charge.