Protesters and several groups gathered Sunday afternoon in front of the National Assembly in Quebec to demand “concrete actions” from the provincial government to increase political pressure for a ceasefire in the strip from Gaza.
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With signs denouncing the military operation carried out by Israel since last October in the Palestinian enclave, the demonstrators hope that Ottawa will do more to maintain peace in the region.
“We know that the federal government has already made an appeal [à un cessez-le-feu]but we are asking to match words with actions,” explains Raphaël Laflamme of the Syndicalists for Palestine group, organizer of the demonstration.
The demonstrators first gathered in front of the National Assembly in Quebec.
Photo Didier Debusschere
Also at the rally, the CSN presented a similar argument to the provincial government.
“It is important that, as a province, we put pressure on the country so that it does not wait months when genocidal situations arise. […] before reacting,” says François Proulx-Duperré, secretary general of the Quebec–Chaudière-Appalaches council of the CSN.
A diplomatic office that does not pass
In addition to relations between Quebec and Ottawa, the opening of a diplomatic office in Tel Aviv by the government of François Legault attracted the ire of demonstrators.
“We were presented with a fait accompli. It is absolutely inappropriate, at this time, to open a diplomatic relationship between Quebec and Tel Aviv,” says Raphaël Laflamme.
For his part, Nezih Belhaj of the Quebec Collective for Peace finds it ironic that this new office has not at least commented on the death of Jacob Flickinger, the Beauceron humanitarian worker who died in Gaza during an Israeli strike.
“Let him condemn, I don’t know, let him protest, let him take a position,” lists Mr. Belhaj.
Quebec Solidaire MP Étienne Grandmont also has difficulty explaining this decision on the part of the government in the context of the conflict in Gaza.
“To open an office in Israel at this time sends a message. […] The minister [Martine Biron] Even if we defend ourselves by saying that it is not a political gesture, it is not true,” he analyzes.
Concerning the death of Jacob Flickinger, Mr. Grandmont affirms that discussions are being carried out by Québec solidaire with the government so that “actions can be taken”.