A diverse group of Jewish Canadian women are currently occupying the Israeli consulate at 180 Bloor Street West in Toronto. This action is in protest against the on-going Israeli assault on the people of Gaza.
The group is carrying out this occupation in solidarity with the 1.5 million people of Gaza and to ensure that Jewish voices against the massacre in Gaza are being heard. They are demanding that Israel end its military assault and lift the 18-month siege on the Gaza Strip to allow humanitarian aid into the territory.
Israel has been carrying out a full-scale military assault on the Gaza Strip since December 27, 2008. At least 660 people have been killed and 3000 injured in the air strikes and in the ground invasion that began on January 3, 2009. Israel has ignored international calls for a ceasefire and is refusing to allow food, adequate medical supplies and other necessities of life into the Gaza Strip.
Protesters are outraged at Israel's latest assault on the Palestinian people and by the Canadian government's refusal to condemn these massacres.They are deeply concerned that Canadians are hearing the views of pro-Israel groups who are being represented as the only voice of Jewish Canadians. The protesters have occupied the consulate to send a clear statement that many Jewish-Canadians do not support Israel's violence and apartheid policies. They are joining with people of conscience all across the world who are demanding an end to Israeli aggression and justice for the Palestinian people.
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Police arrest 8 protesters at Israeli consulate
Updated: Wed Jan. 07 2009 1:30:39 PM www.ctvtoronto.ca
Judy RebickToronto police have arrested eight Canadian Jewish women who occupied the Israeli consulate on Bloor Street. The group carried out the occupation to show their opposition to Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip and its two-year economic blockade of the territory, Miriam Garfinkle, a spokesperson, told ctvtoronto.ca on Wednesday. The most prominent of the eight arrested is Toronto activist Judy Rebick. But the group also includes Israeli filmmaker B.H. Yael, peace activists and students, she said. Police will be taking them to 52 Division, Garfinkle said.
A senior officer at 52 Division said the protesters would be taken to 53 Division, where they will face tresspassing and failure-to-disperse charges. In a news release forwarded by Montreal-based Palestinian and Jewish Unity, the protesters said: "Protesters are outraged at Israel's latest assault on the Palestinian people and by the Canadian government's refusal to condemn these massacres.
"They are deeply concerned that Canadians are hearing the views of pro-Israel groups who are being represented as the only voice of Jewish Canadians. The protesters have occupied the consulate to send a clear statement that many Jewish-Canadians do not support Israel's violence and apartheid policies. "
The Israeli consulate at 180 Bloor St. W. has been the scene of two major protests since Israel began its operation against the Palestinian Islamic militant group and political party Hamas on Dec. 27. Israeli has said it is carrying out the operation to end Hamas's ability to launch rocket attacks against its territory. According to Palestinian and UN figures, about 300 of the more than 670 killed inside Gaza have been civilians.
There were also protests in Israel against the war on Gaza.
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