Pro-Palestine activists protest outside Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister’s office

Pro-Palestine activists visited 17 offices of Members of Parliament (MP) across Canada to demand Canadian MPs to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. In Montreal, demonstrations were held at the offices of three MPs, including Ahuntsic-Cartierville and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, MP for LaSalle—Émard—Verdun David Lametti and MP for Outremont Rachel Bendayan. 

Since October 7, more than 10 thousand people in Gaza have died due to Israel's bombing campaigns. Various international laws have been broken by Israel, including the bombing of hospitals and schools. More than 5 thousand children have died in Gaza. Human rights violations have also occurred, including carpet bombing and the use of the chemical white phospherous – which burns through flesh and can reignite while people are receiving treatment for these burns.

The nation-wide protest was organized by Palestinian Youth Movement – a group of Palestinian diaspora and Arab diaspora that organize in solidarity for Palestinian human rights.

CUTV visited demonstrators outside of Joly's offices. Protesters first gathered outside, where organizers gave speeches on the human rights violations occurring in Gaza. Organizers said Canadian members of parliament are complicit in the genocide in Gaza for not calling for a ceasefire and continuing to send military exports to Israel, as well as provide vocal support for Israel's right to defend itself.

Following the speeches, organizers and activists entered the building where they chanted and then went upstairs to protest outside Joly's office. Protesters were met with police as well as staff members of Joly's office onlooking and taking videos. No arrests were made and protesters left the office after approximately 20 minutes.

Joly has not called for a ceasefire, but instead a "humanitarian pause". 

Joly's office did not respond to a request for comment before the publication of this video.