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We will not run. We will fight harderLast updated 15 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.TORONTO, ONTARIO—SUNDAY JUNE 7, 2026—ISRAEL—Protestors confront participants in the annual UJA Walk With Israel in Toronto, Sunday June 7, 2026. [Photo By Peter J Thompson/National Post][For National Post Story by TBA/National Post]This is the time to fight harder, not run. That is the winning mindset Jews must embrace. The 60,000-strong Walk For Israel this past weekend in Toronto proved we are proud, strong and free. We are Canadian, and we will stand up for our rights and dignity despite attempts to harass and intimidate our community and turn Canada into ground zero for hate.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorWho would have thought that in 2026, Jewish children would hear the same insults and epithets that their Holocaust-surviving grandparents heard in Germany and Poland? In preparing pro-Palestinian counter-protesters for what they could say against the Jews at the walk while avoiding hate speech laws, Naveed Awan Bahadur told them: “When they come to this event, they are a Zionist, and you can call Zionists roaches, rats, scum … right, Zionists.”WATCH:At the Walk with Israel, Naveed Awan Bahadur outlines what he says was relayed to him by police:“‘Zionism’ is not a protected class with respect to hate speech… you can call Zionists roaches, rats, scum.”He warns protesters not to say anything discriminatory about… pic.twitter.com/ckepSJnh84— Caryma Sa'd - Lawyer + Political Satirist (@CarymaRules) June 9, 2026That’s true. We are unapologetically Zionists. But we are not “roaches,” “rats” or “scum.” We are ordinary people who believe in our inalienable right to return to our homeland, the Land of Israel. Zionism is more than a liberation movement. It is embedded in the Jewish religion. Our return to our indigenous home where our ancient language (Hebrew) can be spoken once again and where we can embrace our history grounded in our ancestral land has been grounded in our liturgy for more than 2,000 years — 1,000 years before Islam.This newsletter from NP Comment tackles the topics you care about. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThis time, we will not run away. We will not be defamed and dehumanized. We will not allow antisemitism to be normalized. We will not be ostracized by our universities, unions and government. We will challenge this land of confusion and moral inversion. We will break this Tower of Babel that is threatening not only our community, but our beloved nation.Last June, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Muslim values are Canadian values at an Eid al-Adha celebration hosted by the Muslim Association of Canada in Ottawa. Canadian values are based on respect of one another. Our values embrace pluralism and co-existence. They adhere to truth, justice and good citizenship. They celebrate the once touted view that multiculturalism allows us to take pride in our culture but also respects our diversity.Where are the denunciations by mainstream Muslim community against this vile rhetoric spewed repeatedly against our community from coast to coast since October 7? Where are the rings of love that once surrounded our synagogues, defending us against the antisemitic terrorism responsible for shooting up our places of prayer, our businesses and our people? The silence against the hateful words spewed against fellow citizens is not a Canadian value.For many of us, Canada has become unrecognizable from the pure and innocent land in which we were raised. A land where hockey sticks can be heard hitting a puck at the end of your street, where Christmas trees lined main streets and where Canada Day was cause for celebrating our unity.I still believe Canada is worth fighting for, not running away from. One twig can break with a strong wind, but multiple twigs bound together will stand strong and free. We must work harder together to rebuild our nation through a comprehensive reset focused on strong values that bind us together with Canadians who believe in Canada.As Canadians, we can do this by doubling down on our efforts to turn government attention to effectively control our borders and immigration. We must elect leaders who embrace traditional Canadian values and vehemently reject the maligning of ethnic and religious communities. Our schools must refocus on national pride and Canadian history, rather than becoming lightning rods for political issues on the other side of the planet.Our universities continue to shamefully produce radicalized students who threaten the foundational values of our nation. Graduations must prohibit students from bringing the Palestinian flag — a slap in the face to our own flag and to the millions of Canadians who valiantly fought to preserve our freedom. University administrators have lost their way and donors and boards must hold them to account.Millions of Canadians probably feel this way, but they are silent. They feel immobilized by the institutions that have become “woke,” turning our foundational values on their head and against anyone who might contest the intolerant behaviour we are witnessing. I am here to tell you that calling children and their families “cockroaches,” “rats” and “scum” is not normal. If we dare to accept this behaviour, all we have worked for to build this great nation is lost.This is not the time to run from Canada. This is the time to fight for Canada.National PostAvi Benlolo is the chairman and founder of the Abraham Global Peace Initiative. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.