Second consecutive day of Israeli Consulate blockades in Canada

Montreal, January 8th — Early Thursday, January 8th Montrealers blockaded the Israeli Consulate in Montreal in protest against the on-going Israeli assault on the people of Gaza.

The demonstrators were acting in solidarity with the 1.5 million people of Gaza, demanding Israel end its military assault and lift the 18-month siege on the Gaza Strip to allow humanitarian aid into the territory.

Protesters are outraged at Israel’s latest assault on the Palestinian people and by the Canadian government’s refusal to condemn these massacres that have left 700 dead and over 3000 wounded since December 27, 2008.

In the past 24 hours Israeli has bombarded three U.N. schools in Gaza killing dozens of internally displaced refugees inside Gaza.

“Canada’s lack of response to recent war crimes in Gaza speaks volumes about their support for Israeli apartheid,” said Sophie Schoen, a spokesperson for the action.

“The Conservative government should expel all Israeli Consular officials from Canada, as other countries have done,” said Amanda Dorter. “Until Ottawa ends its support for Israel we will continue to disrupt the workings of Israeli-Canadian cooperation.”

“We demand the Canadian government cut all ties with the apartheid regime of Israel,” said Mostafa Henaway.

The action in Montreal comes on the heels of countless protests worldwide against Israeli war crimes, including an occupation of the Israeli Consulate in Toronto by Jewish women yesterday.

Media contacts:

Mostafa Henaway (English/Arabic) : 514.659.0106

Sophie Schoen (French): 514.998.7243

Matan Cohen (Hebrew): 514.476.1132