The Marxist-Leninist Daily

Since the beginning of Israel's military operation "Cast Lead" began in Gaza on December 27, the peoples of the world have come out in their hundreds of thousands to demand an end to the war crimes of the Israeli Zionists in Gaza. They are also calling on their governments to intervene in defence of the people of Gaza, while expressing their confidence in the Palestinian resistance to defend its people. In this issue, TML is posting photos from actions in Canada and around the world this past weekend in solidarity with the Palestinian people and Gaza.

Canada

Demonstrations took place across Canada on January 10 following a week of vigils, protests, petitions and teach-ins supporting the Palestinian resistance to Israeli war crimes and denouncing the criminal position of the government of Canada and official opposition leader Michael Ignatieff.

Ottawa

More than 5,000 people rallied on Parliament Hill on January 10. Samah Sabawi from the Palestinian community read an open letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and a representative of the Public Service Alliance of Canada read his union's statement, demanding that the government take immediate action to assist the people of Gaza. Demonstrators then marched to the Israeli consulate to demand the immediate withdrawal of Israel from Gaza, before returning to Parliament Hill.

Halifax actions in support of Gaza continued on January 10 with a rally and march. Local activist and journalist Tony Seed put forward the demand that, "Canada should break all relations with the state of Israel. Anybody in the Canadian state that carries on any dealings with the state of Israel, be it military, economics ... should be charged in the Canadian courts for war crimes." Participating organizations included the Canadian Palestine Association, the Student Coalition Against War, the Palestine Solidarity Society, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Independent Jewish Voices. Judy Haiven, a professor at Saint Mary's University and a member of Independent Jewish Voices stated, "Although many Canadian and Israeli Jews are rallying blindly to the Israeli banner, a strong minority of Jews around the world and even in Israel are saying, 'You will not do this in my name.'"

On January 10, following the decision of the movement to continue weekly demonstrations until the end of the Israeli aggression against Gaza, 15,000 Montrealers marched through the streets to reiterate their demands. People from all walks of life including Montreal's Jewish community came out to denounce Israel's crimes in Gaza. A statement from CPC(M-L) denouncing the Israelis' war crimes and supporting the resistance was rapidly distributed throughout the crowd. The demonstrators rallied at the Guy Favreau Complex which houses many federal government offices. There, a speaker from Echec a la guerre denounced the role of the monopoly media, government and elected officials who deny the rights of Palestinians and repeat the lie that Israel is a democratic country which is merely defending itself. A speaker from Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU) saluted the courage and resistance of the people of Gaza in defence of human dignity. On January 11, some 500 people rallied at the corner of Pie-IX and Jean-Talon in protest of Israel's aggression on Gaza. (Photos 3 and 5 courtesy Montreal Muslim News)

In Quebec City, nearly 1000 demonstrators took to the streets of Old Quebec and marched to the U.S. consulate. Organizers stated that such actions would carry on as long as Israel continued its aggression. (Photos: CMAQ)

In Trois Rivières, 300 demonstrators called for an end to Israel's aggression against the Palestinian people.

Toronto

In Toronto, 15,000 people demonstrated outside the Israeli consulate. Organizers set the tone of the rally from the outset, hailing the spirit of resistance of the Palestinian people who are affirming their right to be, and demanding that the Canadian government represent the will of the people and end its complicity with the Israeli Zionist terror. They also denounced the stand of Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff who had just issued a statement supporting Israel's aggression. Rafeef Zaideh from Palestine House saluted the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) for taking stands against Israeli Apartheid and called on anyone belonging to a union to organize that their unions also take a stand. "This is not about 'balancing' oppressor and victim, it is about standing up for justice -- No justice, No peace!," said Rafeef "Unions who are taking a stand are being attacked for doing so and we will stand with them against attacks," she added.

Speakers from both CUPE and CUPW also addressed the rally bringing the support of their members. Ali Mallah of the Canadian Arab Federation pointed out that the Canadian government's support of ethnic cleansing in Gaza is based on its legacy of genocide committed against the indigenous peoples of Canada. Khaled Mouammar, President of the Canadian Arab Federation denounced Canadian leaders as irresponsible and silent and said they do not know what Canadians stand for, which is for justice and international law. A human life is the same whether here or in Asia, Africa, of Latin America. It is we who are the face of Canada, he said, not these mediocre leaders who have become the mouth pieces for Israeli terror. We need new leaders, who will stand up against war crimes, he added.

Hamilton

More than 400 people gathered in Gore Park in downtown Hamilton. The demonstrators then took to the streekts carrying placards and Palestinian flags while chanting "From Kandahar to Palestine, occupation is a crime," and "Stop Israeli war crimes now." Speakers during the action included representatives of the Hamilton Downtown Mosque, the United Church and Independent Jewish Voices as well as Rolf Gerstenberger, president of USW Local 1005. (Photos courtesy Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War)

Winnipeg

On January 8, about 50 people gathered outside the Asper Jewish Community Centre in Winnipeg, to call for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. On January 10, about 200 Winnipeggers rallied outside the Canadian Grain Commission building at Water Avenue and Main Street to demand an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. (Photos courtesy Winnipeg Peace Alliance.)

More than 1,300 people held a militant demonstration in Edmonton's Churchill Square. A number of speakers addressed the rally including Fatiya Muwais, Past President of the Palestinian Women's Association; Brian Mason, Provincial NDP Leader; Brian Henderson, President, Edmonton Local of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers; Tony Simmons, Associate Professor of Sociology at Athabasca University; Mariam Ibrahim, Palestine Solidarity Network; and emcee Peggy Morton, representing the Edmonton Coalition Against War and Racism. Speaker after speaker called for an immediate end to the bombing and invasion of Gaza and the attacks on the Palestinian people. They also addressed the role of the Canadian government as a tool of the U.S. administration and supporter of Israeli aggression. For example, Canada has lifted its previous arms embargo against Israel, Canada is purchasing billions of dollars of military equipment from Israel and that the Israeli airforce held joint war games with the Canadian airforce at Cold Lake Alberta in 2005. Israel has also participated in military manoeuvres with NATO in the Black Sea. (Photos courtesy Raise My Voice)

More than 1,500 Calgarians gathered at city hall on January 10. The action began with children from the Palestinian community sharing their concern for the grave reality facing the children of Gaza. Leading the protest action were members of the Palestinian Canadian Student Society, who marched behind their banner bearing the slogan "End the Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine." The protesters filled Macleod Trail and marched to the U.S. consulate where speaker after speaker demanded that Israel get out of Gaza and that the U.S. get out of the Middle East.

Vancouver and Victoria

In Vancouver, hundreds demonstrated outside the art gallery before marching through the downtown streets stopping traffic. About 150 people attended a rally called by the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid-Victoria (CAIA) in downtown Victoria on Saturday, January 10 at noon. CAIA urged the immediate removal of the Israeli army out of Gaza, and end to the blockade against Gaza and the exit of all illegal Israeli occupiers of Palestine.

Vancouver

Middle East

Ramallah, West Bank, January 9, 2009: Israeli Occupation Forces tear gas protestors near the Kalandia checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem. Bottom left: a protestor wearing a gas mask throws a tear gas canister back at Israeli troops.

As part of actions in Bethlehem on January 9, 2009 opposing the attacks on Gaza, Palestinian youth throw stones at an Israeli watchtower. Palestinian riot police were deployed against the stone throwers, who were also attacked with tear gas by Israeli Occupation Forces.

20,000 march during a demonstration in the southern market town of Nabatiyeh, Lebanon, on January 10, 2009, to celebrate Ashura, commemorating the death of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein in battle in 680AD. Right: Hezbollah fighters stand next to a mock rocket under a poster of Sheik Hassan Nasrallah which reads: "To let you know, July (2006 war) was a picnic."

On January 10, 2,000 Lebanese Muslim Shiite students from the Imam Khomeini school in Beirut demonstrated to show their solidarity with the children of Gaza. Top left: students dressed as Arab leaders with taped mouths. Top right: mock coffins read, "The children of Gaza." Middle left: students carry dolls representing killed Palestinian chidren.
Bottom right: students carry a mock rocket.

Left: Palestinian children carry mock rockets during a protest at Ain el-Hilweh refugee camp in south Lebanon. Right: Protesters in downtown Beirut dressed as Egyptian riot police carry a fake gate with Arabic words that read: "Rafah crossing point." Some 2,500 people participated, marching to a building housing the UN offices, January 11, 2009.

Egypt

More than 50,000 people demonstrate in Alexandria after Friday prayers, January 9, 2009.

Left: Tanta. Right: protesters including Egyptian doctors, one holding a doll representing a dead Palestinian child, protest outside the Doctors' Syndicate building in Cairo, January 9, 2009, calling on the Egyptian government to open the Rafah border-crossing with Gaza so they can provide medical aid.

Jordan

Jordanian riot police clash with more than 2,000 protesters at demonstration near the Israeli Embassy in Amman, January 9, 2009. Participants also carried posters reading: "Thank you Venezuela, Thank you Chavez," in reference to Venezuela’s expulsion of its Israeli ambassador.