The Ottawa Protest...
I attended the anti-Netanyahu protest in Ottawa. About 400 people turned out, and they brought with them huge 'B, D, and S' letters (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) to carry with them through the streets.
The crowd was a mix of old-style lefties (Communists, Socialist Workers Party), younger people wearing their keffiyas, and many Muslm women in various states of Hijab and other coverings. There was at least one vendor selling Palestinian flags and keffiyas.
The main speaker was from Independent Jewish Voices, and he was quite proud that his group had just voted to support the 'BDS' initiative, and thus proving that the Boycotting of Israel, Sanctions Against Israel, and Divestment from Israel are NOT anti-semitic. Many times during the protest, there was emphatic reference to the fact that criticism of Israel is NOT anti-semitic, although I am not sure who they were talking about.
One thing about the protest is sure - these people do NOT want a two-state solution. They were quite clear in chanting that Afghanistan to the Sea was 'occupied' and then chanted the same about Iraq. I guess they won't be happy until the Taliban take over Afghanistan.
It was disheartening to see the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) out with banners and one of their members was the first speaker. It was also disheartening to see Amnesty International getting up to speak. The Amnesty guy talked about Israeli war crimes in the Gaza war and was horrified that Israel actually investigated itself. No body but the UN could do an adequate job of investigating Israel. No mention of anybody investigating Hamas, but then Hamas is never guilty of war crimes, right?
The MC of the event seemed disappointed that there were no MPs at the protest. He kept saying, there's still time for them to come on out. Gee, not even a Bloc MP showed up.
And, very noticeable was the Neturei Karta - an ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect that is anti-Zionist (they believe that only the Messiah can form the State of Israel). They had a huge banner and were actively trying to speak...but they never got their chance. But, the MC referenced their presence by saying it was proof that there was NO anti-semitism at the event!
It could have been worse. I filmed the whole thing, and from being right up front. There was a good police presence, and there was no violence.
posted by GayandRight @ 7:19 PM
6 Comments:
Dude!
I'd really like to see that video.
I was also at this protest...but I was across the street with a large Israeli flag taped to my hockey stick.
Actually, if you were truly there, you would have known that one of the members of Neturei Karta did in fact get a chance to speak towards the end of the protest.
Other than that, your little blog is so lame, it doesn't deserve my time.
I'm not sure where you draw your conclusion that we don't want a two state solution. The chant to which you refer states "From Iraq/Afghanistan to Palestine, occupation is a crime." It is the occupation of Palestine (67 borders) that we protest. (As well as the occupation of Iraq, but that is another story).
I draw my conclusion from the following:
1. The large amount of T-Shirts and signs implying that all of Israel is Palestine.
2. Not one speaker talked about a two-state solution.
There are NO 1967 borders - they are truce lines.
If it was up to you, the Taliban would be in control of Afghanistan, and Saddam Hussein would still control Iraq.
I was standing across the street and I didn't hear anyone from Neturei Karta speak. The protest ended with some lame song...and I heard no one speak towards the benefit of a two-state solution and no one talked an co-operation with the Israeli government. It was all condemnation. No co-operation.
And since when is forcing out the Taliban an occupation? Helping women and children get food and an education is occupying them? Preventing their own government from executing apostates from Islam is a foreign occupying force? Preventing government approved murders of homosexuals?
Shouldn't this be a cause Canada should support? Why is Afghanistan suddenly being "occupied"? When is freedom an "occupation"?
Yes, I agree with you...the protest ended with those silly old radicals singing... an embarassment to the left, for sure.
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