I find it shocking that you have decided, once again, to lead the "Walk for Israel" on Sunday May 28 in your capacity as Chief of Police and as a representative of the City of Toronto (see article below).

You will recall that last year the Arab community expressed their anguish and concern regarding your participation in the Walk for Israel on May 29, 2005. On July 27, 2005 a delegation from the Canadian Arab Federation (CAF) composed of Omar Alghabra, former CAF president and currently MP for Mississauga- Erindale; Elias Hazineh, president of Palestine House; Dr Reem Bahdi, law professor at Windsor university; and Gabriel Fahel, a Toronto lawyer met with you and expressed the Arab community's consternation at your public support for the State of Israel. At the end of that meeting you promised the CAF delegation that you would not participate in any future "Walk for Israel".

I find it very disturbing that our Chief of Police, who should set an example for integrity and tolerance, would not honour a promise he made to the Arab community that he would refrain from endorsing a state that consistently violates international law and human rights. Amnesty International in its 2005 report accused Israel of "committing war crimes and crimes against humanity." Noble peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who was in the forefront of combating the apartheid regime of South Africa, "accused Israel of practising apartheid in its policies towards the Palestinians" (BBC News, 29 April 2002).

I find it inappropriate for the Chief of Police to side with such a pariah state. I am confident that the City of Toronto would not publicly sanction any other country whose behaviour has been deemed to be contrary to international law and condemned at least 70 times in resolutions adopted by the United Nations. On July 9, 2004, the International Court of Justice found:

The construction of the wall being built by Israel, the occupying Power, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, and its associated régime, are contrary to international law.

I find it incomprehensible that our Chief of Police who is mandated to uphold the law would publicly support a country that systematically violates international law. When the Toronto Chief of Police supports Israel it only serves to undermine the confidence of Toronto residents, especially the visible minorities and those of Arab descent, that they will be receiving fair and neutral treatment at the hands of a police force that recognizes and respects the diversity of Toronto and does not tolerate discrimination.

Undoubtedly there is much to be done to combat racism, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. Ensuring that Toronto’s police force—especially its Chief—is properly informed and educated will be one small step forward.

Khaled Mouammar
123 Hidden Trail Avenue
Richmond Hill, Ontario
L4C 0H1
Tel.: 905-508-0562

UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

Mayor Miller, Police Chief Blair to lead Walk With Israel this Sunday

By Daniel Horowitz

Participants in the Sunday, May 28 UJA Federation Walk With Israel will be following in the footsteps – literally – of two gentlemen who make the city tick.


Sara Zagdanski, co-chair of the Walk With Israel, spends a moment with Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair at last year’s Walk. Chief Blair is returning to lead this year’s Walk along with Mayor David Miller.


Toronto's Chief of Police Bill Blair will join Mayor David Miller in leading this year's Walk.

"I believe that the participation of both Mayor Miller and Chief Blair speaks volumes about the respect both gentlemen have for Toronto’s remarkable Jewish community," says UJA Federation chair David Engel. "It also speaks to the importance of this annual event which year after year – brings out thousands of members of our community. As two men who both clearly value diversity and tolerance, they will both be valued guests at the Walk With Israel."

Toronto Mayor David Miller


"It’s terrific that both Mayor Miller and Chief Blair are going to be kicking off this year’s Walk With Israel; to know how much they value their relationship with our Jewish community," says Sara Zagdanski, co-chair of this year’s Walk, along with Felicia Posluns and Nelly Zagdanski.

"Our relationship with Toronto’s Jewish community has always been a strong one," says Chief Blair. "Toronto is known for its multiculturalism and I am committed to working with all of Toronto’s cultural and ethnic groups. I meet with different groups almost on a daily basis and to have the opportunity to spend some time with the Jewish community is something I look forward to."

Nancy Klein, who’s a loyal Walk With Israel participant, is particularly enthusiastic about Mayor Miller and Chief Blair’s participation in this year’s event.

"I spoke to Chief Blair at last year’s Walk and he didn’t act like he was there just to be seen; he was happy to meet with members of the Jewish community," says Klein. "As for Mayor Miller, I saw him at the recent Yom Hashoah commemoration service at Earl Bales Park. He was so respectful, he wore a kippah, and he was singing Hatikvah, word-for-word."

This year’s UJA Federation Walk With Israel will be held – rain or shine - on Sunday May 28, beginning at 9:30 am at Coronation Park (the corner of Strachan and Lakeshore) and ending with the RioCan Carnival at Ontario Place.

Each Walk With Israel "Nosh Stop" will feature music, carnival games and activities. Walkers will be entertained by DJs from five different companies: Corey Mandell Entertainment, Superior Sound, Mint Events, Magen Boys Entertainment and Sole Power. Throughout the route, replicas of Arr-yeah the Lion will lead children on the Office Super Centre Treasure Hunt.

The Walk With Israel raises money for at-risk Jewish youth in Toronto, Israel and around the world.

For more information, call the Walk With Israel hotline at 416.631.5700 or visit www.ujawalkwithisrael.com

[ 27 May 2006: Message edited by: Khaled Mouammar ]