The rally organized by the Coalition of Arab communities of Ottawa was well attended.  Families,  including grandparents and babies in carriages gathered to show their dissatisfaction with the U.S. Administration and the Canadian Government's handling of the events, especially with respect to human rights, and their lack of support of the recent UN resolution to send a Human Rights observer to the area of conflict.

Mark Assad, MP

Mark Assad, MP of Gatineau, Quebec, and a member of the Liberal Caucus attended the demonstration to show his support.  He commented on the peaceful nature of the rally and his remarks drew loud cheers when he said that it is his wish that "the government of which I am part will speak out in favor of the distress and plight of the Palestinian people".

A spokesperson for the rally said "we urge the Canadian government to uphold the Geneva convention regarding citizens under occupation".  An emotional point at the demonstration was the broadcast on the loudspeakers of remarks made via cell phones by representatives of the Palestinians directly from Nablus and Jenin, in the Occupied Territories.

Description of the brutal conflict directly from Palestine and the inability to help the injured drew tears from Palestinians in the crowd.  The message delivered by cell phone called for supporters abroad to place pressure on western governments to bring a just solution to the occupation.

News from Nablus and Jenin bring tears

Qasem Mahmud stated how he was among those who was given a one way ticket in 1947 out of Palestine and was not allowed to return

Qasem Mahmud, spokesperson for the event, raised the issue of identifying the problem and then taking concerted effort to resolve it.  He stated that the fundamental problem is the the Occupation and that the U.S. is supporting Israel in the confiscation of Palestinian lands.

Mahmoud reiterated elements of prior proposals to get a just solution to the problem of occupation: "to end the occupation, to let Palestinians establish their own state, and to be compensated for what they have lost".  He called on fellow Canadians to condemn Israel's aggression and to support Palestinians' struggle to live in their own land.

The press release from the organizers called on Canada to support: the Palestinians' right to resistance,  that Palestinian resistance is not "terrorism", and Palestinians' right to an independent state.

It seems that Canadians do not show a leaning to one side of the conflict or the other.  A Mid East poll conducted on behalf of the Globe and Mail and CTV and published on March 16, 2002 shows that 48 percent of Canadians support neither side.  Support for Palestinians was strongest in Quebec and Ontario and for Israel in British Columbia and Alberta.  It will be interesting to know whether the escalation in violence in the last two weeks  have resulted in a shift of support.

Demonstration on the Hill

Many Palestinians in Canada have commented that they do not have the resources or clout to get their message across.  They feel that the Israeli supporters dominate the media and political lobbying in Canada and the U.S.

Father Assaly made a passionate speech to the demonstrators when he expressed his dissatisfaction with the Arab leaders (who he referred to as a parade of fools), and the Canadian government who he says has abandoned the Canadian values that all immigrants to this country have looked up to.  Father Assaly called for a minute of silence for the "death of Canadian values".  He said that for the 100 years of his family history in Canada, he has never witnessed a thing so disgusting as the inaction by the Canadian government and their lack of support for the recent UN resolution.

Demonstrators concluded their rally by marching to the U.S. embassy shouting Down with Israel, Down with U.S.A, Long Live Palestine, No Justice - No Peace!

Nahla Abdo

Rallies for the Palestinian cause has been a regular occurrence in Ottawa recently.  Another rally is planned for Wednesday, April 10 at noon on  Parliament Hill.  This time it is organized by the Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR).  On March 16, 2002, SPHR organized a similar demonstration  and  spokesperson, Nahla Abdo said then:

"In the face of all the silences, including the silences among all Arab regimes, we deplore the silences and we are quite grateful that we can gather here to protest the atrocities of the Israeli soldiers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. We call on the support of all the Canadian Human Rights organizations and  Canadian NGO's who are interested in peace. There have been violations of  women even to give birth.  They have been stripped before the soldiers.  Women have been denied hospitals because hospitals are under siege.  Children have been killed because of land mines and many Palestinians have been taken away from their homes and detained.  I plead to the Canadian government to intervene directly and make it possible and accessible for medical staff, medicine, and medical aid to reach Palestinians."

Seeking Justice: Imam Gamal Solaiman in front of the Peace Tower.

As for the Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities in Ottawa, they plan to continue
chanting No Justice! No Peace! at rallies on Parliament Hill. May be someone will listen.

© Copyright 2002 Ottawa Muslim Network