More than a thousand protesters gathered at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto December 9 in response to a call Al-Quds. We stood in solidarity with Palestine in protest against Trump’s unilateral and illegal recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the decision to relocate the US embassy to Jerusalem. I was among the speakers. Here is what I said as a Holocaust survivor:
The whole world has condemned Trump’s blow against Palestine. But Canada’s government is silent. And silence means consent!
Why? Because Canada’s business and government elite look favorably at Israeli apartheid.
- Its repressive laws.
- Its subjugation of Indigenous people.
- Its aggressive militarism.
Well, Mr. Trudeau, the people of Canada think differently.
Here’s what an EKOS opinion poll showed this year. Those with an opinion said:
—Is your view of Israel’s government negative? 62% said yes.
—Is criticism of Israel anti-Semitic? 91% said no.
—Is the Palestinians’ call for boycott against Israel reasonable? 78% said yes.
Speak for the people of Canada, Mr. Trudeau. Say no to Trump on Jerusalem’s annexation!
When I was an infant in France, solidarity saved my life. As an Jew, Hitler marked me down for death. I was saved by a people united against the Nazi occupation, the anti-Nazi resistance carried out by people of many nations and faiths, including Muslims.
—When I visit my father’s grave, I see buried close to him the graves of many Muslims who died fighting to defeat fascism.
—When I see the Great Mosque of Paris, I remember that it provided refuge to Jews and others on Hitler’s death list.
—When I visit the hills where I was hidden, a witness from those days tells me how Muslim soldiers of the Resistance stood guard there to protect us.
We need that kind of solidarity today to win Palestinian freedom.
There are many ways to counter the oppression and occupation of Palestine. I stand with Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS), which is seen more and more by the world’s peoples as a road to peace and freedom for Palestine/Israel.
President Trump empowers fascists in the U.S. and in Canada too. At the top of the fascist hate list are Jews and Muslims. Our response, whether Jewish, or Muslim, or Christian, or secular – is solidarity: We stand together against fascism and for Palestinian freedom.
In Canada we must stand together for the love of humanity; for a Jerusalem that welcomes equally the three great faiths, respects human rights, and gives expression to freedom for Palestine.
End the occupation! Palestine will be free!
Survey source: www.cjpme.org/survey