Gaza protesters shout support for Hamas during Toronto’s ‘Walk With Israel’ march

An agitator protesting against the march repeatedly screamed "Hamas" at Jews and Israel supporters. He held up a provocative sign that read, "F*ck Israel and its supporters," and was draped in a Palestinian flag and keffiyeh around his shoulders. The keffiyeh is a sign of solidarity with Palestinians and is used by protesters globally.

Toronto police were deployed to separate the two groups from clashing. Event participants thanked police officers for their efforts to keep the peace and continued their march, which drew an estimated 50,000 people to Canada's largest city.

As the pro-Israel marchers passed by the group of counter-protesters, pro-Palestinian agitators repeatedly chanted, "Long live Hamas!" They also made upside-down triangles with their hands, which is the symbol Hamas used during its Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel.

Event attendees, who vastly outnumbered the terrorist sympathizers, fired back and chanted, "Down with Hamas!"

A scuffle broke out between Toronto police and two keffiyeh-clad individuals during the event. The counter-protesters appeared to try to charge the police line but were blocked by officers from doing so.

Despite the threats of violence, the march proceeded without incident.

Family members of hostages and victims of the Hamas Oct. 7 massacre were in attendance and marched with pictures of their loved ones who were murdered by terrorists on that day.

"It's fantastic to see record numbers coming out this year, both from the Jewish community and beyond the Jewish community," said Noah Shack, VP Countering Antisemitism & Hate with UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. "This is really a coming together of Torontonians to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in solidarity with the people of Israel and the Jewish community here in Toronto as we face an unprecedented situation."

"We won't be silenced," said Maureen Leshem, whose cousin Romi Gonen is still being held hostage by Hamas . "We will continue to spread light and love like the Jewish community also does, and I think many of these people could learn these values from us."