Speaking at an Oak Street Synagogue for a fundraiser, Ehud Barak says, unlike Canada, Israel comes from a tough neighborhood, constantly under threat.

Barak says Israel is a ray of light in a relatively dark landscape dominated by the threat of terrorism, "We will never, ever yield to terror, period. Yielding to terror is like feeding crocodiles, they just want more."

Meanwhile, a couple dozen protesters against Barak's visit demonstrated across the street. Hana Kawas with the Canada Palestine Association calls Barak a war criminal and says Canada should not allow him in the country, "Canada's role is terrible. Canada supports the war crimes that Israel commits on a daily basis against the Palestinians."

Pro-Israel demonstrators held a rally of their own, a handful of students waved Israeli flags and said Barak's visit should be an opportunity for dialogue instead of protest.