AUDIO report recorded by CKUT Radio (www.ckut.ca) just after 11am on
Wednesday, January 8th.
MP3:
http://www.ncra.ca/business/admin_ncra/progex/programFiles/53/MontrealOccupation.mp3
AUDIO WEB LINKS:
http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/31038
http://www.ncra.ca/exchange/dspProgramDetail.cfm?programID=79399
MONTREAL, January 8, 2009 -- Approximately 30 people entered the lobby of the Israeli consulate this morning to serve an eviction notice to consular staff, demanding the expulsion of the Consular General and an immediate end to the Israeli invasion and siege of Gaza.
"The Canadian government's support for the ongoing atrocities in Gaza is totally unacceptable. Canada should immediately end diplomatic ties with the Israeli apartheid regime, starting with the expulsion of Israeli representatives from Canada. Since the Canadian government has refused to do so, we are taking action ourselves," said Aaron Lakoff, one of the participants.
Demonstrators arrived at the Consulate on the 6th floor of Westmount Square in Montreal, condemning consular officials in English, French and Hebrew for the massacres committed in Gaza. They blocked access to the consulate for almost two hours before being physically expelled by police. Journalists were denied access to the lobby, and two CTV and Radio-Canada cameramen were shoved into an elevator by police.
During the action, demonstrators chanted slogans such as "Fight the power, turn the tide, end Israeli apartheid!" calling for a boycott of Israel, and addressed consular officials through the intercom.
"Since the Israeli assault began, over 700 Gazans have been killed and nearly 3100 have been injured, with no place to escape the relentless bombing of schools, homes, mosques, and places of refuge. The besieged hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed," said Sophie Schoen, another organizer.
"This devastating level of violence has defined Israel since its inception, and goes hand in hand with its apartheid system. We must not forget that the vast majority of Gazans are refugees who were ethnically cleansed from other parts of Palestine with the founding of the state of Israel in 1948," said Meg Leitold to participants.
"Israeli apartheid could not continue without moral and economic support from Canada and Quebec," she said, calling for a boycott of Israel.
As police pushed them out, demonstrators left chanting "Boycottons Israel, liberez Palestine!" Similar actions will take place until Canada and Quebec cease their support for Israeli violence and apartheid.
Media contacts:
Mostafa Henaway (514) 659-0106 (English / Arabic); Matan Cohen (514)
848-7583 (English / Hebrew) ; Sophie Schoen (514) 998-7243 (French)
For additional high resolution photos and videos please contact us.
www.tadamon.ca
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Meanwhile, in Toronto...
"The people of Gaza are not alone!"
MP3 Audio:
http://www.ncra.ca/business/admin_ncra/progex/programFiles/53/occupation070109.mp3
AUDIO WEB LINKS:
http://www.ncra.ca/exchange/dspProgramDetail.cfm?programID=79393
http://www.radio4all.net/
AUDIO from Today's Occupation by Jewish Women of Israeli Consulate in Toronto
Toronto, Canada: Wednesday January 8, 2009 Time: 10:25 am
A diverse group of Jewish Canadian women occupied the Israeli consulate at 180 Bloor Street West in Toronto. This action is in protest against the on-going Israeli assault on the people of Gaza.
The group is carrying out this occupation in solidarity with the 1.5 million people of Gaza and to ensure that Jewish voices against the massacre in Gaza are being heard. They are demanding that Israel end its military assault and lift the 18-month siege on the Gaza Strip to allow humanitarian aid into the territory.
Israel has been carrying out a full-scale military assault on the Gaza Strip since December 27, 2008. At least 660 people have been killed and 3000 injured in the air strikes and in the ground invasion that began on January 3, 2009. Israel has ignored international calls for a ceasefire and is refusing to allow food, adequate medical supplies and other necessities of life into the Gaza Strip.
Protesters are outraged at Israel's latest assault on the Palestinian people and by the Canadian government's refusal to condemn these massacres. They are deeply concerned that Canadians are hearing the views of pro-Israel groups who are being represented as the only voice of Jewish Canadians. The protesters have occupied the consulate to send a clear statement that many Jewish-Canadians do not support Israel's violence and apartheid policies. They are joining with people of conscience all across the world who are demanding an end to Israeli aggression and justice for the Palestinian people.
The group includes: Judy Rebick, professor; Judith Deutsch, psychoanalyst and president of Science for Peace; B.H. Yael, filmmaker; Smadar Carmon, an Canadian Israeli peace activist and others.
Just before Noon, CKUT Radio interviewed Judy Rebick inside the Israeli Consulate and Mariam Garfinkle on the outside.
index.php/program/31020
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