[Marxism] Links | 10, 000 people rally in Toronto against the Israeli assault on Gaza

[glparramatta <glparramatta@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Just posted at http://links.org.au/node/833 (with nice photo slide show)

10,000 people rally in Toronto against the Israeli assault on Gaza

January 3, 2009 -- At least 10,000 people gathered at Toronto’s 
Yonge-Dundas Square to protest against Israel’s recent assault on Gaza. 
Protesters then marched through the streets of Toronto to the Israeli 
Consulate and the United States Embassy. Demonstrators called on the 
Canadian government to condemn Israel’s latest aggression and to cut all 
political, economic and military ties with Israel until it complies with 
international law. Protests were also held across Canada in Ottawa, 
Winnipeg and Vancouver. Demonstrations are scheduled in Montreal on Sunday.

“We are overwhelmed by the support we have received from Canadian civil 
society, the trade union movement, and allies in the Jewish community. 
The large number of people on the streets today shows that the Harper 
government is out of touch with the Canadian public,” said Khaled 
Mouammar President of the Canadian Arab Federation.

As the protest was taking place, Israel began a ground invasion of the 
Gaza Strip. This latest escalation comes in spite of international 
condemnation and calls for Israel to end its full-scale military assault 
on the people of Gaza, which has already killed over 400 people. It is 
clear that Israel believes it can act with impunity, and continue to 
commit war crimes against the illegally occupied Palestinian people.

"We will continue to mobilise and voice our outrage at the crimes being 
committed in Gaza until the Canadian Harper government publicly condemns 
Israel’s violations of international law", stated Farid Ayad, president 
of Palestine House.

Numerous speakers at the demonstration, including the president of CUPE 
Ontario Syd Ryan, local Jewish activist Jenny Peto and Rafeef Ziadah 
from Palestine House, urged the crowd to support the campaign of 
boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israeli apartheid. As part of 
this campaign, organisers called on the Canadian government to implement 
sanctions against the Israeli government until Israel halted its 
aggression upon the population of Gaza and fully complied with 
international law. Organisers further demanded that Canada insist Israel 
ends the siege on Gaza and open the borders to allow for food, medicine, 
water and other essentials of life.

The rally was endorsed by:
Palestine House
Canadian Arab Federation
Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid
Canadian Union of Public Employee (Ontario)
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Steel Workers – Toronto Area Council
Toronto Coalition to Stop the War
Not in Our Name – Jewish Voices Opposing Zionism
International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network Toronto
Yosher – Jewish Social Justice Network
Women In Solidarity with Palestine
Educators for Peace and Justice
Muslim Unity
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East
Near East Cultural and Educational Foundation
Canadian Forum for Justice and Peace in Sri Lanka
Muslim Association of Hamilton
Canadian Druze Society
Canadian Syrian Cultural Club
Al Huda
Muslim Unity
Canadian Shia Muslims Organization
Worker to Worker Canada Cuba Solidarity Network
Somali Canadian Diaspora Alliance
Science for Peace
Bayan – Canada
Bengali Student Association
McMaster Muslims for Peace and Justice
Arab Students Association at Ryerson University


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