“Free Palestine!” Chant Hundreds of Supporters in Victoria

Over two hundred protesters rallied at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia to denounce massive war crimes against the Palestinian in Gaza in retaliation for Hamas’ attack last week, joining a wave of protests that has swept the globe and sharply divided public opinion.

People of all backgrounds came to show their support to a faraway community that is currently being mass murdered and displaced to nowhere, in a completely disproportionate act of retaliation by one of the most advanced military forces on Earth, against a population that has been kept in a state of apartheid for several decades with the unconditional support of major western powers.

Before I elaborate on the protesters’ message, I would like to point out the event didn’t start well, by design. The Palestinian community chose to align itself with the Communist Party of Canada and other socialist factions, as well as peace advocates that have recently been spreading Russian propaganda, and that did not sit well with many participants; one heckler in particular was so disruptive that he was arrested for disorderly conduct after allegedly inciting violence. I have to admit this major blunder by the organisers made my own skin crawl. Allying with notorious attention grabbers spreading a subversive message spoils one’s image and unnecessarily alienates supporters.

Even then, I have to admit that unlike at other events they attended, this time these people stayed on message and spoke well, perhaps because it’s simple enough to explain how one would be opposed to the most graphic war crimes without having to go over the top. Israel’s idea of self-defence in this case consists in carpet-bombing one of the most densely populated areas on this planet, giving over a million impoverished civilians mere hours to evacuate to nowhere, striking at them even on the designated retreat path, and using white phosphorus for good measure, which is among the most horrific weapons ever made.

The protesters were just as angry at their leaders’ unwavering support of Israel’s monstrous punitive campaign, going as far as accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of condoning genocide. The media likewise were denounced for their bothsidesism extending to the spread of disinformation meant to skew public opinion in favour of Israelis against Palestinians.

One protester, a veteran of the protest scene here in Victoria, came forward introducing himself as Jewish, raised in Israel as a Zionist, yet condemning Israel’s response in the strongest terms—and he wasn’t alone in the crowd. This is the strongest counter propaganda, in support of a people whose vital space has been encroached upon to such extent that none of the acts of retaliation they carry can objectively be condemned. The perpetual siege of Gaza has led to such derives that even many among Israelis denounce it. Time for western hypocrisy and its unconscionable support for a regime engaging in apartheid to end.