Palestinian community in Montreal voices support for victims of war between Israel, Hamas
Dozens took to the streets in downtown Montreal Sunday for a protest against Canada’s involvement with NATO.
It was organized by the Mouvement Québécois pour la Paix, a group that also supports Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas.
They started at Place du Canada and walked east to the U.S. consulate to protest that country and the West's support for Israel. Many say this weekend's destruction shows just how badly the situation has deteriorated in Gaza.
So far, more than 680 people in Gaza have been killed since Saturday, while hostilities have killed around 900 people in Israel, the Associated Press reported Monday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip following unprecedented attacks on Israel by Hamas.
"I think that one can understand this action by Hamas first as a cry of somebody desperate to be heard and second as a warning that, look, you cannot have peace if we are suffering. If you suffer, we make you suffer with us," said Rachad Antonius, a retired professor who taught sociology at the Université du Québec à Montréal.
Sarah Shamy is an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement in Montreal. She said the community stands firmly with those in Gaza.
"What we're seeing today is a people who have been under blockade for over 16 years deprived of clean water, deprived of medical supplies, deprived of their dignity and, who, despite these conditions, remain steadfast and so what they are fighting against is a colonial power," she said.
That power, some analysts say, has to end its military occupation of the West Bank for there to be any hope of a resolution.
"There's a large number of issues to settle with respect to the West Bank, the borders of 1967, how these peoples can live together, people can live together you don't have to hate your neighbour because he's Jewish or because he's Muslim so this can be resolved," said John Philpot, an expert in international criminal law.
"The occupation has to end," he added, otherwise the fighting will continue and could even broaden.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.