Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets again in Quebec on Saturday to denounce the “war crimes” that have resulted in the loss of thousands of civilians in the Gaza Strip.
• Also read: Israel allows humanitarian aid from Egypt to flow into the Gaza Strip
• Also read: Israel-Hamas conflict: 33 federal MPs call for a ceasefire
• Also read: The situation in Gaza is “catastrophic,” warn five UN organizations
At around 1 p.m., demonstrators gathered in front of the National Assembly, as they did on October 17 after the Israeli attack on a hospital in Gaza City that killed several hundred civilians.
Photo credit: Nicolas St-Pierre
During their march through Old Quebec on Saturday, they called for an “immediate ceasefire,” called for the liberation of Palestine and condemned the “terrorist” state of Israel.
“Israeli terrorist, Canada complicit!” they repeatedly shouted angrily.
Photo credit: Nicolas St-Pierre
“I am extremely sad to see that Canada condones what is happening now, when many civilians are being killed every day,” said a masked protester who preferred to remain anonymous.
Photo credit: Nicolas St-Pierre
“This absolutely has to stop”
“I have several friends who still have family in Palestine and have no news that their brothers, sisters, cousins or even parents were killed. That makes no sense, the number of victims continues to rise,” explains Clément Aguilard.
“It’s a tragedy. Many Quebecers don’t even know what’s happening there because it doesn’t affect them, but we have to put ourselves in their shoes, it’s literally a genocide right now,” he adds.
Photo credit: Nicolas St-Pierre
Even if they have no connection to Palestine, many Quebec locals still wanted to come and lend their support to the community, which is currently facing difficult times.
“This absolutely has to stop. “I am not a Palestinian and I don’t know anyone personally, but it is terrible what they are currently experiencing and if we look at the conflict as a whole, it is normal for the community to be angry,” adds Daniel Guimont.
Additional aid of $50 million
Earlier on Saturday, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced Canada would provide an additional $50 million in support to humanitarian organizations in the Middle East during her speech at the Peace Summit in Cairo, Egypt.
This amount is in addition to the $10 million announced last week by Canadian International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen.
430 Canadian citizens and their families remain trapped in Gaza since the deadly Hamas attack on October 7, which was followed by bloody retaliation by the Israeli army.
Can you share information about this story?
Write to us or call us directly at 1 800-63SCOOP.