Pro-Israel rally at Ottawa's Parliament Hill calls for end to Antisemitism, Support for Israel

Description

Demonstrators from across Canada gathered near Ottawa's Parliament Hill on Monday in a show of solidarity with Israel amid its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The rally aimed not only to express support for Israel but also to call for an end to antisemitism in Canada. The protesters urged all levels of government to strengthen their stance against antisemitism, which has seen a recent surge in Canada. Demonstrators expressed frustration, with one protester stating, "The world is against us, and it is a sea of little minority, a group of people who call themselves Jews. It is sickening." According to media reports, recent weeks have witnessed dozens of police-reported hate crimes, with Jewish-owned businesses, including Indigo Books, being targeted and vandalized by protesters and agitators. One protester shared a personal account, saying, "A couple of weeks ago, my synagogue got firebombed, and it is right around the corner for me. Also, my schools almost got shot at night, so, you know, obviously, I am scared." The protest witnessed counter-protestors from both the Jewish community denouncing the war and Palestinians expressing their perspectives. Participants from both sides displayed flags and placards to support their respective stances. Israel has resumed combat against Hamas in Gaza, claiming the group had broken the truce first by firing rockets towards Israeli territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also alleged that Hamas had refused to release more hostages. The Palestinian group rejected the accusation, claiming Israel had 'refused all offers' to extend the truce. It stated that it had 'offered to exchange prisoners and the elderly, as well as to hand over the bodies of those killed by the Israeli bombardment'. The initial four-day ceasefire and prisoner-hostage swap deal was extended twice, lasting until Thursday. It saw the release of 86 Israeli hostages and 24 foreigners according to Israel, while around 240 Palestinian prisoners were freed from Israeli jails. Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping over 200 according to Israeli officials. Israel declared war on the group and a 'complete siege' of Gaza, with a large-scale campaign of air strikes. A ground incursion began at the end of the third week, with Israeli leaders vowing to 'wipe out' Hamas. Palestinian officials reported that at least 15,899 people had been killed, including more than 8,000 women and children, and more than 42,000 injured at the time of publication. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claimed that Hamas locations and infrastructure were targeted in the response. However, United Nations experts warned against 'collective punishment' for the people of Gaza, before predicting a 'humanitarian crisis' and then claimed that 'hell is settling in' for the region.