http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Co...741&call_pageid=968332188774&col=968350116467
Peace rally draws 15,000 in Montreal
Aug. 6, 2006. 06:17 PM
CANADIAN PRESS
MONTREAL — A demonstration billed as a protest for peace assumed a distinctly anti-Israeli flavour Sunday as protesters denounced the Jewish state for killing hundreds of Lebanese.
Children carrying two large Lebanese flags and adults who trailed behind accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper of being an accomplice to Israeli murder.
“Israel terrorist, Harper accomplice,” members of the crowd shouted in unison as marchers left a downtown park on their journey through city streets.
Police said more than 15,000 people participated in the rally, making it one of the largest that took place around the world over the weekend.
Demonstrations also took place in Belgium, Britain, South Africa, Iraq and Egypt.
A coalition of 60 political, social and union groups invited Montrealers to join the protest in a massive demonstration for peace and justice in Lebanon.
They called for an immediate ceasefire that would end hostilities.
That was on the mind of Eric Morin, a 37-year-old father of two.
“I’m here as a citizen who doesn’t want to see a baby die for ideological reasons,” he said as thousands of participants shielded themselves from the summer heat before the march began.
“They should all get together and try to find a way to live in peace.”
Morin said he fears the fighting could escalate into a Third World War.
Among the many participants were members of the city’s Lebanese community, which numbers about 200,000.
Many held placards denouncing Harper’s handling of the crisis, particularly his open support of Israel.
“Yo Stevie, they’re only dead Arabs,” read one sign hoisted by Asem Samhat, whose home village on the Lebanese border has been turned into rubble by Israeli attacks.
“Our country has the right to live,” the 35-year-old construction worker said, denying Canada’s assertion that Hezbollah is a terrorist group.
A 41-year-old architect who moved to Canada five years ago from Beirut said he’s disappointed that Canada hasn’t taken a more independent position from that of the United States.
“I’m asking Canada to be faithful to its tradition of humanism and independence,” said Victor, who declined to give his surname.
While many participants claimed they weren’t singling out either side in the bloody conflict, some carried placards that linked Israel to Nazi atrocities during the Second World War.
“Israel learned from Hitler and the student has surpassed the master,” read one sign.
A representative of the Quebec Israel Committee said he understands the desire for peace. But Marc Gold said there is no hope for peace as long as Hezbollah continues to fire rockets at Israel.
“We all want a peace but a peace that means something not just a pause to give time for Hezbollah to regroup,” he said in an interview.
Gold criticized rhetoric that singled out Israeli’s aggression.
“Demonstrations like this that can find nothing to say except to criticize Israel and do not focus on the causes of this conflict are unbalanced and frankly unprincipled.”
Political representatives from the Bloc Quebecois, Parti Quebecois and federal Liberals denounced Ottawa’s handling of the crisis.
“We want to make sure that Canada comes back as a mediator,” said former Liberal immigration minister Denis Coderre.
“We cannot govern a country and manage a crisis by dogma.”
Both sovereigntist leaders said their sole motive was to promote peace, not electoral gain.
“I’m here walking for peace,” said Boisclair. “I was here against the war in Iraq and I’m here simply to walk in favour of peace.”
Duceppe declined to say whether he is prepared to vote against the Conservative government in a non-confidence motion over its handling of the crisis.
“Quebecers are not supporting what they’re doing,” he said of the Conservatives, whose public support has slipped in several recent polls.
“But I’m not here to discuss strategy.”
Some of the loudest ovations were received by some ultra-religious Jews who denounced Israel’s actions and its right to exist.
“We are totally in opposition in every step of the way to what the state of Israel is doing,” said Rabbi Israel David Weiss, a New Yorker with Jews United Against Zionism.
“The actual existence of the state of Israel is forbidden by the torah (Jewish bible).”
Weiss marched near the front row of the demonstration, locking arms with Sayed Nabil Abbas, a representative of the Islamic Shiite Supreme Council in Canada.
“We don’t have any problems against the Jews, our problem is with the Zionists,” said Abbas.
The demonstration came as Hezbollah and Israel continue to trade violent strikes that have killed about 700 people in nearly a month of fighting.
Peace rally draws 15,000 in Montreal
Aug. 6, 2006. 06:17 PM
CANADIAN PRESS
MONTREAL — A demonstration billed as a protest for peace assumed a distinctly anti-Israeli flavour Sunday as protesters denounced the Jewish state for killing hundreds of Lebanese.
Children carrying two large Lebanese flags and adults who trailed behind accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper of being an accomplice to Israeli murder.
“Israel terrorist, Harper accomplice,” members of the crowd shouted in unison as marchers left a downtown park on their journey through city streets.
Police said more than 15,000 people participated in the rally, making it one of the largest that took place around the world over the weekend.
Demonstrations also took place in Belgium, Britain, South Africa, Iraq and Egypt.
A coalition of 60 political, social and union groups invited Montrealers to join the protest in a massive demonstration for peace and justice in Lebanon.
They called for an immediate ceasefire that would end hostilities.
That was on the mind of Eric Morin, a 37-year-old father of two.
“I’m here as a citizen who doesn’t want to see a baby die for ideological reasons,” he said as thousands of participants shielded themselves from the summer heat before the march began.
“They should all get together and try to find a way to live in peace.”
Morin said he fears the fighting could escalate into a Third World War.
Among the many participants were members of the city’s Lebanese community, which numbers about 200,000.
Many held placards denouncing Harper’s handling of the crisis, particularly his open support of Israel.
“Yo Stevie, they’re only dead Arabs,” read one sign hoisted by Asem Samhat, whose home village on the Lebanese border has been turned into rubble by Israeli attacks.
“Our country has the right to live,” the 35-year-old construction worker said, denying Canada’s assertion that Hezbollah is a terrorist group.
A 41-year-old architect who moved to Canada five years ago from Beirut said he’s disappointed that Canada hasn’t taken a more independent position from that of the United States.
“I’m asking Canada to be faithful to its tradition of humanism and independence,” said Victor, who declined to give his surname.
While many participants claimed they weren’t singling out either side in the bloody conflict, some carried placards that linked Israel to Nazi atrocities during the Second World War.
“Israel learned from Hitler and the student has surpassed the master,” read one sign.
A representative of the Quebec Israel Committee said he understands the desire for peace. But Marc Gold said there is no hope for peace as long as Hezbollah continues to fire rockets at Israel.
“We all want a peace but a peace that means something not just a pause to give time for Hezbollah to regroup,” he said in an interview.
Gold criticized rhetoric that singled out Israeli’s aggression.
“Demonstrations like this that can find nothing to say except to criticize Israel and do not focus on the causes of this conflict are unbalanced and frankly unprincipled.”
Political representatives from the Bloc Quebecois, Parti Quebecois and federal Liberals denounced Ottawa’s handling of the crisis.
“We want to make sure that Canada comes back as a mediator,” said former Liberal immigration minister Denis Coderre.
“We cannot govern a country and manage a crisis by dogma.”
Both sovereigntist leaders said their sole motive was to promote peace, not electoral gain.
“I’m here walking for peace,” said Boisclair. “I was here against the war in Iraq and I’m here simply to walk in favour of peace.”
Duceppe declined to say whether he is prepared to vote against the Conservative government in a non-confidence motion over its handling of the crisis.
“Quebecers are not supporting what they’re doing,” he said of the Conservatives, whose public support has slipped in several recent polls.
“But I’m not here to discuss strategy.”
Some of the loudest ovations were received by some ultra-religious Jews who denounced Israel’s actions and its right to exist.
“We are totally in opposition in every step of the way to what the state of Israel is doing,” said Rabbi Israel David Weiss, a New Yorker with Jews United Against Zionism.
“The actual existence of the state of Israel is forbidden by the torah (Jewish bible).”
Weiss marched near the front row of the demonstration, locking arms with Sayed Nabil Abbas, a representative of the Islamic Shiite Supreme Council in Canada.
“We don’t have any problems against the Jews, our problem is with the Zionists,” said Abbas.
The demonstration came as Hezbollah and Israel continue to trade violent strikes that have killed about 700 people in nearly a month of fighting.
