Pro-Israel buses in Toronto refused to enter Parliament Hill

About 20 buses carrying Toronto community members to Ottawa for a rally on Parliament Hill never arrived Monday.

The UJA Federation of Greater Toronto ordered approximately 70 buses to transport the event, but 17 of them did not arrive.

Alternative travel arrangements were eventually made for those affected, and Adam Minsky, president and CEO of the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, said the association's “voice will be louder than ever.”

CTV News Toronto was unable to reach the UJA bus company, which was previously contacted and contracted.

“To our surprise, 17 of the more than 70 buses ordered by UJA did not show up,” Minsky said. “Those 17 buses were under the responsibility of a certain subcontractor company. Despite receiving the full advance payment and confirming their participation, the company did not send a single bus and refused to comment and refused all communications.”

Prominent Jewish groups, including Israel and the Center for Jewish Affairs, are holding the march in a collective show of strength against shocking anti-Semitism, CIJA reported.

It is not yet known why the buses did not arrive.

In his statement, Minsky noted that the no-show followed a “similar situation” last month when buses carrying supporters to an Israeli rally in Washington did not arrive as scheduled.

“Given the subcontractor's silence and no other explanation, we believe that this shameful decision was made to prevent our peaceful rally out of hatred for Jews,” Minsky said.

He vowed to respond with “aggressive” legal action against the subcontractor company.

“Hate and discrimination against any community will never be tolerated in Canada,” he said.

A week-long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas expired over the weekend, nearly two months after Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7.

Deadly airstrikes have resumed and Israel is expected to expand its ground offensive in Gaza.