Fredericton Supports Palestinians

by chaf.haddad | January 12, 2009 at 10:31 am

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Fredericton, NB - A handful of about 100 people gathered in front of City Hall on January 10, 2009 to show support for the Palestinian people who are currently under bombardment by the Israeli military. People from all walks of life traveled from outside Fredericton to attend this event carrying many signs which expressed opposition to the attack and occupation by the Israeli army in Gaza. Since the all powerful Israeli army began its attack December 27, 2008 over 825 Palestinian civilians have been murdered in the name Israel defeating terrorism.

Several activists spoke out against the attack and occupation using Michael Ignatieff’s recent remarks as fuel for Canadian outrage. Ignatieff said:

”Israel has been attacked from Gaza, not just last year, but for almost 10 years. They evacuated from Gaza so there is no occupation in Gaza.”

I agree that Israel does have the right to defend herself from terrorist attacks, however, it is ridiculous as a Canadian policy maker to choose one side and state that the other is at fault for this attack and occupation. The solution is not as simple as deeming Hamas as a terror organization and having Israel seek and destroy terrorist members one by one. Keep in mind that Palestinians democratically elected Hamas into power. As an observer of this conflict (and still learning of the conflict’s history) I find it frustrating that many governments from around the world ignore the fact that the Israeli military has been responsible for demolishing Palestinian homes and rebuilding (armed) Jewish settlements for over 40 years. This is a settlement occupation which is defended by the Israeli military as well as the armed civilians who live there.

Ignatieff’s comments about Israel evacuating Palestinian land is a half truth. In 2005, Israel agreed to dismantle many Jewish settlements and move 9,000 Israelis out off Gaza and the West Bank, however, Israel continues to build these settlements on Palestine’s most fertile farm land. The people of Gaza have nothing. UN aid is being controlled and even blocked by the Israeli authority during the current invasion. The people in Gaza deserve more than being imprisoned in their own country. They have lost control of their own airspace, roads, land, offshore maritime access, entry of foreigners, and the tax system. How can Ignatieff state that there is no occupation in Gaza!?

Saturday’s rally in Fredericton has been endorsed by Fredericton Palestine Solidarity, Fredericton Islamic Association, Jews for a Just Peace Fredericton, the Fredericton Peace Coalition, Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice N.B. Chapter, Women in Black, Students Aware of the World at Fredericton High and Strax.