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3,000 march in Toronto in support of Palestinian people, police
estimate
(HTM) Source
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Thousands gathered in downtown Toronto to show their support for
Palestinian people on Tuesday evening.
Toronto police estimate that 3,000 people took part in the
demonstration against Israeli military actions in Gaza.
The "Hands off Rafah!" protest, which began at 6 p.m. outside the
Israeli consulate at Yonge and Bloor streets, made its way to the
University of Toronto campus. By about 9 p.m., the group reached a
pro-Palestinian encampment set up by students.
Police said there were no arrests and no altercations. The university
had requested police presence on campus during the demonstration and a
few officers were deployed to observe, police said.
Organizers said the protest was an emergency call to action as Israel
begins an assault on Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip.
"The students united will never be defeated!" protesters chanted as
they neared the encampment.
By 9:40 p.m., the demonstrators had begun to disperse, police said.
The 'Hands off Rafah!' protest began at Yonge and Bloor streets. (CBC)
The student encampment at the U of T, meanwhile, entered its sixth day
on Tuesday. Students have set up tents in an area known as King's
College Circle and are calling on the university to disclose its ties
with the Israeli government and divest from Israeli companies.
## Encampment continues
Erin Mackey, an organizer of the student encampment, said earlier on
Tuesday that she is hopeful that the university will meet the
students' demands.
"It is totally possible. They have an ethical investment policy and
really all we're asking is for them to adhere to it," Mackey said.
As the encampment continues, however, some on campus said they're
feeling uneasy.
Robert Schwartz, a Jewish professor who teaches at the University of
Toronto, said he has spoken with other Jewish faculty members who say
the encampment has also made them feel unsafe.
Schwartz said Jewish faculty members who have tried to enter the
encampment have been stopped. He said the encampment has essentially
restricted part of university property.
"I feel somewhat threatened. I'm very concerned with some of the
slogans that are on the signs and some of the chants that are being
used and it really feels quite threatening," Schwartz said.
"I would like to see all of the really hostile slogans on the posters
being taken down."
Still, he said he hoping for a peaceful resolution between the
administration and students.
Mackey said Friday it's important "to point out that anti-Zionism is
different than antisemitism."
"And that the Israeli government does not represent everyone who is
Jewish. And there's actually a lot of Jewish students who are here, a
lot of Jewish faculty who are supporting this encampment."
## War has driven nearly 2 million Gazans from homes
According to the Associated Press, Israeli forces have seized the Gaza
side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
The closed border means U.N. humanitarian teams in Gaza will run out
of diesel fuel by Wednesday, a senior humanitarian official said,
leaving them unable to pump drinking water, maintain communications
and deliver aid.
The war in Gaza has driven around 80 per cent of the territory's
population of 2.3 million from their homes and caused vast destruction
to apartments, hospitals, mosques and schools across several cities.
The death toll in Gaza has soared to more than 34,500 people,
according to local health officials.
The war began Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing
around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250 others.
Israel says militants still hold around 100 hostages and the remains
of more than 30 others.
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