Montrealers Protest and Blockade Event Hosting Israeli Defence Soldiers

On March 4, 2024, pro-Palestine protestors gathered outside of the Holocaust Memorial Center on Côte-Sainte-Catherine Street in Montreal. They were there protesting an event hosted by the Federation CJA. This event was called Israeli Perspective: Coming to Life.

The event featured talks by IDF soldiers who were there to tell stories and ”advocate against the delegitimization of Israel” according to the promotion of the event.

Aby Volcovich, one of the soldiers and panellists at the event, is on record in an Instagram Live clip saying, “These children are terrorists, are a part of terrorist organizations, such as the Islamic Jihad and Hamas and this operation was specifically pinpoint targeted to target individuals who have committed terror attacks, or are planning to commit terror attacks.”

Pro-Palestine protesters blocked all three entrances throughout the event—the main entrance and the two entrances on the sides of the Holocaust Memorial Center building.

Registered eventgoers tried to enter the building, but many were stopped by the human barricade in front of the doors.

After some frustration, the pro-Israeli eventgoers crossed the street and called for a counter-protest, gathering a small group in opposition to the pro-Palestine protesters.

Despite the presence of Jewish people opposed to Israel’s actions in the Gaza strip on the pro-Palestine side, Jeremy Levi, the mayor of Montreal municipality Hampstead, condemned the protests as “spreading anti-Jewish sentiment.”

Pro-Palestine protesters said a pro-Israel protester attacked one of the women on their side, causing retaliation.

As a result, two pro-Palestine activists were detained after being pepper sprayed, after retaliating against a pro-Israel protester that dragged two women from the pro-Palestine protest. 

Anthony Housefather, Member of Parliament representing the riding of Mount Royal, said on X, “This is my riding. This is the Jewish Community central building where the Holocaust Museum is located. I have & continue to call on all governments to make clear … where demonstrations cross a line & offering full support to police to act.”

On the same day, Independent Jewish Voices said on X, “Right now, IDF soldiers are speaking at Montreal’s Holocaust museum, promoting Israel’s agenda as it continues to commit genocide against Palestinians. How shameful to welcome perpetrators and enablers of ethnic cleansing into a space honouring victims of genocide.”

Some of the collaborators included Startup Nation, DiploAct, and Hillel Concordia.

The event was originally going to be held at Concordia University but was cancelled after students expressed their dissatisfaction through email.

StartUp Nation, Hillel Montreal and DiploAct did not respond to a request for comment. 

Some pro-Palestine activists had reserved tickets under fake names to take up fake seats at this event.

Federation CJA brought the event back a few days later, hosting it at an undisclosed location until the day of the event.

In a request for comment, Yair Szlak, President & CEO, of Federation CJA said what happened at this protest made it clear Federation CJA had to grant an injunction prohibiting pro-Palestine protests from being held outside synagogues and Jewish institutions. 

This injunction was granted for 10 days, beginning on March 6, and has since been extended another 10 days. 

“The priority will always be to ensure the safety of our community, whether through the Community Security Network and our director of community security, or legal resources such as this injunction," said Szlak.