Friday, 9 January 2009
Bethlehem - Ma'an - A diverse group of Jewish Canadian women occupied the Israeli consulate in Toronto on Tuesday, according to a statement.
The group said the action was "in protest of the ongoing Israeli assault on the people of Gaza." It carried out the "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, it said.
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 27 December. At least 700 people have been killed and well over 3,000 injured in airstrikes and the ground invasion that began on 3 January.
Israel has ignored international calls for a ceasefire and, with a few exceptions, is refusing to allow food, medical supplies and other necessities of life into the Gaza Strip.
The Jewish protesters said they are outraged at Israel's latest assault on the Palestinian people and by the Canadian government's refusal to condemn "these massacres."
The group said it is "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 said in a statement, adding that 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.
