Pro-Palestine protestors block exits of Liberal party fundraiser in Montreal

Activists protested outside of a Liberal fundraiser in the Old Port of Montreal on December 7. 

The Montreal chapter of Palestinian Youth Movement called out Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, who was in attendance at this fundraiser. 

Activists say Joly has blood on her hands for the death of thousands in Gaza as a result of not calling for a ceasefire and continued support for Israel amid the Israeli military's bombardment of Gaza.

One day before this protest, Joly called for an end to the violence in Gaza in the House of Commons.

"We, of course, think that is is completely unnaceptable that so many women and children – civilians in Gaza, have died during the context of thuis crisis. The cycle of violence will not ensure Israel's longterm security and the price of justice cannot be the suffering of all Palestinian people. The violence must stop," said Joly, in a speech during the Question Period in the House of Commons in Ottawa. 

Activists say this is not enough, calling for Joly to endorse a ceasefire and an end to the violence in Gaza.

Before this protest, Joly had not endorsed a permanent ceasefire, which is what activists are asking for. On December 12, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for a “sustainable ceasefire” in Gaza. Activists say this is not enough, asking for Canada to end its support for Israel’s occupation of Palestine and an end to the siege on Gaza.

Joly’s office did not respond to a request for comment. We instead received an email that her office is receiving a large amount of emails at this time. This is likely linked to an increase in emails to her office calling for a ceasefire. When Local 514 reached out to Joly in October, we received the same auto generated email.