Large pro-Palestinian protests engulfed downtown Montreal on Tuesday in commemoration of two years of conflict in Gaza. Numerous student associations, representing over 46,000 students from CEGEPs and universities, voted to strike in solidarity with Palestinians and the victims of Israeli military actions in Gaza. Demonstrators, many donning keffiyehs, gathered near Mackay Street and de Maisonneuve Boulevard, with a significant police presence observed nearby.
Concordia University closed its downtown campus on Tuesday to prevent potential disruptions from protests. The university’s president, Graham Carr, emphasized the decision was made to safeguard the community, citing the unprecedented need for such measures due to past protests on campus.
The protests coincided with the anniversary of an attack by Hamas in southern Israel in 2023, triggering a formal declaration of war by Israel. The ensuing military campaign has resulted in over 67,000 casualties, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, sparking allegations of genocide, a claim supported by a United Nations Commission of Inquiry.
Demonstrators in Montreal demanded divestment from Israel, with protests featuring signs condemning genocide and advocating for actions against Israel. The crowd, filled with individuals waving Palestinian flags and some setting off smoke bombs, marched together through the city streets. Additionally, the burning of an Israeli flag was witnessed during the protests.
Students participating in the demonstrations voiced concerns about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, emphasizing the need to denounce the alleged genocide and the financial support directed towards it. Calls for divestment from Israel and standing publicly against the conflict were reiterated by student groups at Université de Montréal.
Rabbi Josh Berkowitz of the Chabad Student Group at Concordia University expressed concerns over the disruptions caused by the protests, highlighting the impact on students from diverse backgrounds preparing for exams. He noted the discomfort felt by Jewish students on campus and criticized the university for what he perceived as a lack of enforcement of rules to maintain a safe learning environment.
