Hundreds rally in Toronto calling for end to assault on Gaza
Posted August 10, 2014 6:55 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Hundreds gathered outside the Israeli consulate at Bloor Street and Avenue Road Sunday afternoon calling for an end on the assault on Gaza.
Nearly a dozen organizations came together to put on the rally.
“The main message is that we’re condemning the month-long assault on the people of Gaza that has resulted in the deaths of nearly 2,000 people, including about 400 children,” James Clark with the Toronto Coalition to Stop the War told 680News.
Meanwhile, across the street a counter protest was held by a smaller group of demonstrators – Israeli supporters who said Israel is trying to stop terrorism.
“What you have across the street is a pro-Hamas rally. It’s important for Canadians of all stripes to band together and oppose any Hamas presence in Canada,” Meir Weinstein with the Jewish Defence League explained.
The groups yelled chants back and forth to each other while separated by barriers and police.
Both sides then continued their march along Bloor before making their way down to Yonge-Dundas Square.
Israeli officials accepted Egypt’s proposal for a new 72-hour cease-fire with Gaza militants, clearing the way for the resumption of indirect talks on a long-term cease-fire arrangement in Hamas-ruled Gaza.
Egypt brokered a similar truce last week, but after the three-day window, militants resumed rocket fire on Israel and new fighting erupted.
