‍

Toronto (March 13, 2025) – In advance of an Al-Quds Day rally set to take place in downtown Toronto on March 23, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is urging the Toronto Police Service and City of Toronto staff to ensure all necessary measures are in place to protect the safety of the Jewish community and to hold accountable anyone who engages in hateful or violent rhetoric at the demonstration.

Initiated by the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, Al-Quds Day is an annual event marked with anti-Israel zeal in major cities worldwide. Past Al-Quds Day rallies have often featured antisemitic chants, inflammatory signs and calls for the destruction of Israel and its Jewish people, raising serious concerns about hate speech, incitement to violence and glorification of terrorism.

True to form, in promoting this year's Al-Quds Day rally in Toronto, the poster for the event is titled, "Palestine Resists… Zionism Ceases to Exist," clearly calling for the elimination of Israel and the Jewish people. It is a clear threat to Canadian Jews.

This week, FSWC was in communication with Toronto Police Service leadership, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong police presence, enforcing security measures and remaining vigilant against any incitement to hate, violence or terrorism.

"Year after year, Al-Quds Day rallies in Toronto have featured dangerous rhetoric and blatant antisemitism," said Michael Levitt, President and CEO of FSWC. "It's critical that law enforcement and city officials take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our community and to enforce laws against hate speech and incitement."

FSWC appreciates the efforts of Toronto councillors James Pasternak and Brad Bradford, who issued statements voicing their concerns and urging Toronto City staff to work with the Toronto Police Service to take all necessary action to enforce applicable federal and provincial laws and by-laws, ensuring the safety of all Toronto residents.

‍