Members of Independent Jewish Voices (IJV), World Beyond War and other militant groups gathered at the Israeli consulate on Friday to protest the “The bloodshed caused by Israeli violence in Gaza”, which has seen 11 consecutive days of fighting between Tel Aviv and Palestinian militants.
“We are here to make sure the blood on Israel’s hands is visible, so we put this symbol of the blood coming out of the door,” Rabbi David Mivasair, a member of the IJV, said in a Facebook video as he stood outside the consulate.
No one can walk into these Israeli government offices right here in Canada without seeing what Israel is. We made it visible.
The protest came less than 24 hours after a ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and armed groups in Gaza, which was negotiated by Egypt and entered into force on Friday morning. Activists nonetheless condemned the outbreak of violence, which saw hundreds of IDF airstrikes and thousands of Hamas rockets fired at Israeli towns.
Rachel Small, an organizer of World Beyond War, said that as long as the group is “Encouraged” by the ceasefire, it would not allow the “The blood, death, destruction of the Israeli government” to be « invisible. »
Powerful photos of today’s action. “We are making visible the violence of Israel’s brutal occupation at the gates of the consulate in Toronto. We prevent anyone from entering and leaving Israeli government offices without facing the bloodshed of which they are complicit. ” pic.twitter.com/koHEkAT1wq
– World AFTER War Canada (@WBWCanada) May 21, 2021
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In a statement to CTV News Toronto, Israeli consulate chief Galit Baram condemned the move as vandalism, adding that Tel Aviv’s operations in Gaza were in self-defense.
“Israel was forced to defend its citizens”, she said. “Israel did so in a surgical and controlled manner, with the aim of eliminating Hamas’ terrorist infrastructure, while making substantial efforts to limit civilian casualties.”
At least 232 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting, including 65 children, according to Gaza health officials, while Israeli authorities say 12 citizens have died, including two young people.
The World Health Organization reported on Friday that more than 8,500 injured were suffered in Gaza, while around 30 hospitals and other health facilities were damaged or destroyed by the Israeli strikes. Apartment buildings, press offices, a crowded refugee camp and Gaza’s main coronavirus testing and vaccination site have also been targeted by airstrikes.
The latest outbreak began in earnest on May 10, following a series of heated protests against the impending expulsions of Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem, which have faced harsh police repression and left hundreds injured in the clashes that took place. followed. An Israeli incursion into the Al Aqsa Mosque served as a major flashpoint, with police attempting to disperse a rally as worshipers gathered for Ramadan prayers. The first round of rocket fire from Gaza soon followed, unleashing a wave of IDF airstrikes and artillery.
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