Pro-Palestinian, pro-Israeli rallies held across Canada as war continues

More than a thousand people congregatedat Toronto'sNathan Phillips Square Monday afternoon, many saying they werethere tosupport the Palestinian people and not to glorify thedeadly attacks launched byHamas against Israelis over the weekend.

Still, many also refused to condemn thoseattacksthat have reportedly killed more than 900Israelis, saying instead the focus should be on how Israel has mistreated Palestinians and occupied Palestinian land for decades.They also pointed to the nearly 700 Palestinianswho have been killed by Israel in response to the attacks.

"It's not a question ofwhether we support the attacks. It's a question of what do we stand against," said Yara Shoufani, with the Toronto chapter of the Palestinian YouthMovement, which organized the event. The organization says on Instagram thatit's agrassroots, independent movement"struggling for the liberation of our homeland."

"We are here again in support of the Palestinian people, the Palestiniannation, across all walks of life inside of Palestine,outside of Palestine,in the refugee camps, all acrossthe world that is fighting to returnhome."

Protests across Canada

The rally in downtown Toronto was peaceful. Supporters held Palestinian flagschanting "Free Palestine" as they marched along Queen Street West. It wasone of many similar pro-Palestinian protests held acrossCanada on ThanksgivingMonday, which included events in Calgary, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Halifax.

A number of pro-Israel rallies were also held throughout the country onMonday. But it was those in support of the Palestiniancause that came under criticism.Jewish organizations and some politicians condemned them,characterizing the rallies aseventsto glorify the attacks on Israel.

"The glorification of violence is never acceptable in Canada by any group or in any situation," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a tweet. "Istrongly condemn the demonstrations that have taken place, and are taking place, across the country in support of Hamas's attacks on Israel. Let's stand united against acts of terror."

Mayor Olivia Chow also condemned the rally in downtown Toronto, saying she "unequivocally" denounced theunsanctioned event.

"Glorifying this weekend's indiscriminate violence including murder and kidnapping ofwomen and children by Hamas against Israeli civilians, is deplorable," Chow said in a tweet.

But Omen Sayah, a 49-year-old Palestinian Canadian living in Mississauga, Ont.,whoattended the Toronto rally, said Chow and those denouncing the protests don't have a good understanding of the situation faced by Palestinians

"It's the Palestinians dying. We are the peoplewho have been dying for many years," he said.

As for the killing of Israelis by Hamas, Sayah said they were "not attacks. They are trying to regain their land back."

'Nobody stood for us'

DaliaAlusta, a Palestinian Canadian who also attended the Toronto rally, said that it has been painful to see "this amount of blood, no matter for whom."

"But we've been killed all those years, nobody stood for us."

As for the family members of those Israelis who were killed or kidnapped, she said they should just leave Israel.

"It's an occupied land. I'm sorry for them, but they have the option to leave."

She said she doesn't agree with Hamas, that she doesn't share their "moralvalue system" but that she supports any resistance and as long as they fight for the rights of Palestinians, "I will stand for them."

On Monday, the Israeli defence minister ordered a complete siege on Gaza,saying authorities would cut electricity and block the entry of food and fuel. The order came two days after Hamas fighters unleashed a barrage of rockets andinfiltrated southern Israeli towns, killing hundreds, while capturing and holding hostages in what some are labellingas "Israel's 9/11."

WATCH | How the surprise attack by Hamas unfolded:

How Hamass surprise attack on Israel unfolded

1 year ago

Duration 7:42

Israel has declared war with Hamas after the Palestinian militant group launched a surprise attack that killed hundreds. The National breaks down how Hamas went seemingly undetected by Israeli intelligence for months and days leading up to the attack and what could happen next.

Israel, which hasformally declared war on Hamas,pounded the Gaza Strip from the air and prepared for a campaign Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahusaid would destroy "the military and governing capabilities" of the militant group.Palestinian officials say under 700 people have been killed in Gaza.

In Vancouver, up to 300 protesters gathered with Palestinian flags. Some were wearing thetraditionalkeffiyehscarf, and called for the end of what they deem to be a settler-colonial occupation in the Palestinian territories.

In Winnipeg, about 100 people showed up for the "Resistance is a Right"rally.Damon Nasser, one of theorganizers, said the purpose was to show solidarity with the Palestinianpeople who are again under attack by Israel.

"Afterover 70 years of occupation, 70 years of attacks from the state of Israel, they finally [rose]up and resisted, not always in the best of way but it's to be expected," he said."One plus one equalstwo and this responsewas to be expected."

In Calgary, separate pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel rallies were held at City Hall and Calgary Beth Tzedec Congregationrespectively. Calgary police told CBC News late Monday afternoon that one adult male had been taken into custody at the rallies that took place at City Hall for "causing a disturbance." Police said they do not believe the man to be affiliated with either group.

On Monday evening, a at pro-Israel solidarityevent at Ottawa's Soloway Jewish Community Centre, the prime minister said that Canada "unequivocally and in the strongest possible terms, condemns these terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas."

'We stand with Israel': Trudeau

"We stand with Israel and reaffirmour support for Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with internationallaw," Trudeau said.

WATCH | Trudeau speaks at pro-Israel rally:

Trudeau speaks at Israel solidarity event

1 year ago

Duration 6:35

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivers remarks at an Ottawa-area event designed to show solidarity with Israelis amid an ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

In Toronto, at North York's Mel Lastman Square during arally in support of Israel,OntarioPremier Doug Ford described the attacks as "heinous acts of terror" and that now is the "time for moral clarity."

"There can be no question or confusion Israel has an absolute right to defend itself and its citizens."

Chowtold the crowd that as mayor, she will not stand in silence.

"In this dark hour, I stand with you, the members of Toronto's Jewish community."

Police said that four arrests were made at the event and that there were a number of counter protesters in the area, but the event remained relatively peaceful.