More than 1,000 protesters rallied outside the Israeli Consulate in Toronto on May 31, 2010, to protest Israel’s killings on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. The flotilla was sailing for Gaza to bring humanitarian relief (concrete, toys, workbooks, chocolate, pasta and substantial medical supplies) to the illegally besieged Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military killed 19 humanitarian aid workers and injured dozens of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. Organizers say "the Israeli apartheid state is acting with full impunity outside the boundaries of international law while the Harper government welcomes Prime Minister Netanyahu with open arms."
Speakers at the rally called for an end to the siege of Gaza and for support for the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign for Palestine (http://bdsmovement.net/) from Canadian unions, churches, schools and other civil society organizations. Speakers included: Sandra Ruch (Canadian coordinator of the Gaza Freedom March), Khaled Mouammar (president of the Canadian Arab Federation), Ali Mallah (trade unionist and member of CUPE), Jake Javanshir (Not in Our Name: Jews Opposed to Zionism), a Reverend from the United Church and member of Holy Land Task Group, and Naomi Klein.
The emergency rally was organized by the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (CAIA), Toronto Coalition to Stop the War, and the Gaza Freedom March Committee.
Video Production: Anita Krajnc
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