As War Continues, Pro-Palestinian, Pro-Israeli Rallies are Held Across Canada
Over a thousand individuals gathered at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square on Monday afternoon. Many expressed their support for the Palestinian people without glorifying the recent deadly attacks by Hamas against Israelis.
However, several attendees refused to condemn these attacks, which reportedly claimed the lives of over 900 Israelis. Instead, they emphasized Israel’s mistreatment of Palestinians and its occupation of Palestinian land for decades. They also highlighted the nearly 700 Palestinians killed by Israel in response to the attacks.
The downtown Toronto rally remained peaceful, with supporters waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Free Palestine” as they marched along Queen Street West. Similar pro-Palestinian protests took place across Canada on Thanksgiving Monday, including events in Calgary, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Halifax.
While pro-Israel rallies were also held throughout the country on Monday, it was the pro-Palestinian rallies that faced criticism. Some Jewish organizations and politicians characterized these rallies as glorifying attacks on Israel.
Mayor Olivia Chow joined those condemning the downtown Toronto rally, stating that she “unequivocally” denounced the unsanctioned event.
However, attendees like Omen Sayah, a 49-year-old Palestinian Canadian from Mississauga, argued that Chow and others criticizing the protests didn’t fully grasp the Palestinians’ situation. Regarding the killing of Israelis by Hamas, Sayah viewed them as attempts to regain lost land rather than as attacks.
Dalia Alusta, another Palestinian Canadian at the Toronto rally, acknowledged the pain caused by the violence on all sides. She didn’t agree with Hamas and disapproved of their “moral value system.” Nevertheless, she expressed support for any resistance that fought for Palestinian rights.
On Monday, the Israeli defense minister ordered a complete siege on Gaza, cutting off electricity and blocking the entry of food and fuel. This came after Hamas fighters launched rockets and infiltrated southern Israeli towns, resulting in casualties and hostage-taking.
In Vancouver, around 300 protesters gathered with Palestinian flags, wearing traditional keffiyeh scarves, and called for an end to what they considered a settler-colonial occupation in Palestinian territories.
In Winnipeg, approximately 100 people attended the “Resistance is a Right” rally, expressing solidarity with Palestinians who were under attack by Israel.
Calgary hosted separate pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel rallies, with one adult male taken into custody for causing a disturbance. Ottawa also had a pro-Israel solidarity event, where the prime minister condemned Hamas’s terrorist attacks.
At a rally in support of Israel in North York’s Mel Lastman Square, Ontario Premier Doug Ford referred to the attacks as “heinous acts of terror” and affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself.
Mayor Chow assured the crowd that she would not remain silent during this time, expressing solidarity with Toronto’s Jewish community. Police reported four arrests at the event but noted that it remained relatively peaceful despite the presence of counter-protesters.
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