Montrealers protest Canada ending funding to UNRWA

Protesters gathered outside of the Israeli consulate in downtown Montreal to protest Israel's bombardment of Gaza and to call out Canada for revoking funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). UNRWA is a relief and human development agency, which provides healthcare, education and other vital services to the Palestinian people.

Israel accused 12 employees at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) of being involved in the Oct. 7 Al Aqsa Flood. As a result, nine countries, including Canada, have cut funding to the UNRWA since these allegations were made.

During the protest, many organizers called out Canada and the eight other countries for ending vital funding to UNRWA. Activists say this is a form of collective punishment. 

Two days before the protest, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) released preliminary results in the Israel-Gaza case. The ICJ says Israel is likely committing genocide and ordered that Israel must do everything within its power to prevent genocidal acts against Gazans. The ICJ did not call for a ceasefire. 

Local 514 spoke with Palestinian Youth Movement organizer Sarah Shamy about what this means for Palestinians in Gaza. 

Shamy said its important to put this situation in a historical context. "The Gaza strip, which has been under a brutal blockade, a land, sea and air blockade, for over 17 years where everything that goes in and out is controlled by Israel," said Shamy. "It is one of the most densely populated areas in the world." She added that this population relies mostly on the humanitarian aid that is provided to them, through organizations such as UNRWA.