massive protest in Toronto aginst Israil, Canadians call for Gaza ceasefire, end of Western funding for Israel

Canadians have staged a protest in Toronto to demand an end to the Israeli genocide of Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip, denouncing the Western support for Tel Aviv.

The protesters marched on the US Consulate General on Sunday, as they held banners and Palestinian flags, and chanted “Hey, hey, ho, ho, the occupation has got to go.”

“We’re here to demand an immediate ceasefire, to demand an end to both US and Canadian funding and support of Israel’s genocide, and also to call on Canadian people to join us, to take a stand, to lift Israel’s 70-year long siege on Gaza, whereby Israel controls Gaza’s air, land and water,” Yara Shoufani, a member of Palestinian Youth Movement Toronto, said.

The rally, which was organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement Toronto, was also attended by members of the Independent Jewish Voices.

“We’re here as Jews to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, demanding an immediate ceasefire, demanding Israel let in humanity and aid. They’ve only let in a shameful 80 trucks. End the genocide and the occupation, and Canadian complicity in all this,” Gur Tsabar, a member of Independent Jewish Voices, said.

Alisa Gayle, another member of Independent Jewish Voices, said “As a Jew, I am absolutely heartbroken. It is devastating to see that this is being done in our name. It’s never anti-Semitic to criticize Israel or to criticize war crimes.”

“We need to stop this. We need our government to demand a ceasefire. We need the ceasefire now. We’ve already lost thousands and thousands of innocent civilians. And it’s horrible collective punishment.