Support in Montreal for Sanctions on Countries Guilty of Human Rights Violations

Canada swiftly imposed sanctions on Russia to hit Russian oligarchs and the Russian economy to ultimately apply pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the country's invasion in Ukraine. But this was met with criticism from some, identifying that Canada can sanction Russia in support of Ukraine, but look the other way for other countries committing human rights violations – notably countries that Canada has economic ties with.

In Montreal, there has been a history of activism to push for the boycott of Israel in support of Palestinian people and ending Israel's occupation in Palestine. Protests in support of this boycott in Montreal made international headlines in the early 2000's, when Concordia students protested outside and inside the university's Hall building to prevent then-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from visiting Concordia to deliver a speech. Montrealers support of BDS and Palestine doesn't end there, as thousands of Montrealers took to the streets of downtown Montreal on May 15, 2021 to protest the 73rd anniversary of the Nakba, when Israel forcefully expelled thousands of Palestinians from their homes.

Eya Hassan, the communications coordinator at Canada Sanctions Israel – an organization based in Montreal – says that if we impose sanctions on every country harming citizens Canada would be cutting off a lot of ties.

"I don't know if we’re ready for that," said Hassan.

Canada Sanctions Israel pushes Canada to impose sanctions on Israel in support of Palestinian freedom and the end of Israel's occupation in Palestine. Hassan says that the sanctions against Russia have a renewed hope for Canada imposing sanctions against Israel in support of Palestine.

Hassan says that our wallet has power. In order for a country to flourish economically, the government may have to reconsider their decisions to avoid sanctions.

She says there's been a lot of criticism of Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions – which is the movement to impose economic and cultural sanctions on Israel and to divest from the country. Hassan says BDS doesn’t target ethnicity, but that it’s to let the government know we disagree with the occupation.

Hassan added that Russia has not caused as much damage as Israel has on Palestine since the 1940’s, as Palestinians have been evicted from homes and Israel has committed countless other human rights violations against Palestinians.