MONTREAL (AFP) — Thousands of people demonstrated Saturday in major Canadian cities, demanding an end to Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip and denouncing Ottawa's position as being supportive of the Israeli action.
As ground forces from the Jewish state entered Gaza, protestors braving sub-zero temperatures in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver called for an end to hostilities.
"We demand an immediate ceasefire," said Diana Ralph, a coordinator with Independent Jewish Voices, a coalition of pro-Palestinian groups.
"We demand that the Canadian government press for an end to Israel's massacre in Gaza, instead of giving them diplomatic cover to kill more civilians."
In Toronto police were on hand as some 2,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators chanted "Shame on Israel" and "Shame on America," according to CTV television.
In Ottawa 1,000 people marched on the Canadian parliament and the Israeli embassy.
Israeli tanks and ground troops moved into Gaza on Saturday and engaged in night-time battles with Hamas forces, according to Israeli security sources.
The conflict that began a week ago with air strikes has left more than 460 Palestinians dead, and brought widespread destruction to the already impoverished coastal territory.
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