Thousands in Montreal Call for End to Gaza Offensive
--Several thousand demonstrators, some shielding their faces from the bitter cold with traditional Arab scarves, marched Sunday on the Israeli consulate in Montreal to demand a halt to Israel's offensive on the Gaza Strip.
Some 5,000 people, according to media estimates, paraded peacefully down Montreal's Sainte-Catherine street, waving Palestinian flags, and congregated outside the Israeli consulate.
Braving freezing temperatures, the demonstrators shouted a series of anti-Israeli slogans, including: "Israel, murderer! Israel, terrorist!" and "Intifada, Intifada!"
"They want the week of killings to stop at once. Canada should demand firmly and unhesitatingly that Israel stop its attacks," a dental student born in Gaza who gave only his first name, Abdul, told AFP.
"Israel has committed crimes that are illegal under international law. Canada must press for a ceasefire at the United Nations and with the United States, its friend and neighbor," said one of the demonstration's organizers Thomas Woodley.
The demonstration in Montreal followed several marches Saturday in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver also demanding an end to Israeli attacks on Gaza.
Israeli tanks and ground troops moved into Gaza on Saturday and engaged in nighttime battles with Hamas forces, according to Israeli security sources.
The conflict that began a week ago with air strikes has left more than 500 Palestinians dead, and brought widespread destruction to the already impoverished coastal territory.
Source: AFP
Braving freezing temperatures, the demonstrators shouted a series of anti-Israeli slogans, including: "Israel, murderer! Israel, terrorist!" and "Intifada, Intifada!"
"They want the week of killings to stop at once. Canada should demand firmly and unhesitatingly that Israel stop its attacks," a dental student born in Gaza who gave only his first name, Abdul, told AFP.
"Israel has committed crimes that are illegal under international law. Canada must press for a ceasefire at the United Nations and with the United States, its friend and neighbor," said one of the demonstration's organizers Thomas Woodley.
The demonstration in Montreal followed several marches Saturday in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver also demanding an end to Israeli attacks on Gaza.
Israeli tanks and ground troops moved into Gaza on Saturday and engaged in nighttime battles with Hamas forces, according to Israeli security sources.
The conflict that began a week ago with air strikes has left more than 500 Palestinians dead, and brought widespread destruction to the already impoverished coastal territory.
Source: AFP
