TORONTO — As Jewish families in Toronto prepare for the annual Walk With Israel, Conservative MP Roman Baber is sounding the alarm over what he calls an “unprecedented wave of hate crimes” terrorizing Jewish Canadians, particularly in Toronto. In a statement released May 23, 2025, Baber called on Mayor Olivia Chow and Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw to enforce the law and protect participants from threats and intimidation.
“Enough is enough,” Baber declared, referencing three separate shootings at a Jewish girls’ school and firebombings of synagogues and Jewish-owned businesses in Toronto. He pointed to nearly 18 months of antisemitic incitement, including repeated chants to “globalize the Intifada” on city streets, explicit calls to violence that Baber says have gone largely unchecked by city leadership.
With a protest planned to coincide with Sunday’s Walk With Israel, Baber expressed deep concern for the safety of Jewish residents. “Many members of Canada’s Jewish community who plan to participate in Sunday’s Walk now fear for their safety,” he wrote, emphasizing that masked protesters have used these events to shout and promote violence against Jews, intimidate residents, and disrupt the peace.
Baber’s call to action comes as Toronto’s Jewish community reels from the recent murder of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington, D.C., and amid a broader surge in antisemitic incidents across North America. “This is not peaceful, and it is not lawful,” Baber told the Toronto Sun. “Turning a blind eye to anti-Israel protesters is going to lead to someone being hurt or killed in the city.”
He urged city officials to designate protest areas away from family events and to ensure that hate speech and criminal behavior are met with charges. “Protesting and demonstrating should target government or officials, not the public,” Baber asserted, adding that intimidation is not a protected Charter right.
Toronto Police Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue has stated that police will have a significant presence at the Walk With Israel and will enforce the law against hate speech or criminal activity. City Councillor James Pasternak echoed Baber’s concerns, noting the costly security challenges posed by repeated disregard for protest regulations.
As the Jewish community braces for Sunday’s event, Baber’s message is clear: “Conservatives condemn such hateful protests, and any and all violence and intimidation against Canada’s Jewish community.” He called on city leaders to act decisively, stating, “We call on Mayor Chow and TPS Chief Demkiw to enforce the law, and take all measures necessary to protect the safety of those participating in the Walk With Israel this Sunday.”
For many Jewish families, the stakes could not be higher. As Baber put it, “Let’s be 100% clear: an event where masked protesters can shout and promote violence against Jews, intimidate residents, and disrupt the peace is not acceptable.”
This article is based on Roman Baber’s official statement, verified reporting from the Toronto Sun, and recent public safety updates from Toronto Police and city officials as of May 24, 2025.