Wednesday, January 07, 2009


INTERNATIONAL POLITICS-CANADA/ISRAEL/PALESTINE:
JEWISH WOMEN OCCUPYING ISRAELI CONSULATE ARRESTED:
Earlier today a diverse group of 8 Jewish women occupied the Israeli Consulate in Toronto in protest against the Israeli war against the people of Gaza. A few hours later police arrived and arrested the eight. They were charged with "breach of the peace" and released. Here is their press release, courtesy of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP). For further information contact one of their spokeswomen:
*Dr. Miriam Garfinkle
416-731-6605
*Cathy Gulkin
416-697-0768
*Judy Rebick
647-388-1053
......................................
Jewish Women Occupy Israeli Consulate in Toronto:
Toronto: Wednesday January 8, 2009 Time: 10:25 am
A diverse group of Jewish Canadian women are currently occupying 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.

No comments: