Protests gather outside American Consulate in Toronto as Israel and Iran clash

By Sam Goldstein

After two weeks of mounting escalations between Israel and Hezbollah, the Israeli government has expanded its ground war in the Middle East: on Monday its armed forces entered Lebanon for the first time since 2006. Since Israel’s assassination of Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil this summer, watchers around the world have waited on Iran with bated breath, watching for a feared counter-attack with vast, unpredictable consequences.

On Tuesday the long-awaited retaliation finally arrived, when Iran launched a salvo of missiles at Israel. Tensions in the region are now the highest they’ve been in decades; the possibility of open war between Israel and Iran is dangerously high, as Israel vows yet further retaliation against Iran.

Beneath all the posturing, the response at the grassroots tells a different story on the polar-opposite end of the spectrum… of individuals and organizations who have made it their top priority to pull the world back from the brink, often at the cost of their safety, reputation, and well-being.

Protesters gather across the street from the American Consulate opposite a large police presence.

On Tuesday in Toronto, Palestinian, Jewish, and Lebanese protesters gathered outside the American consulate before marching through the city’s downtown. The streets were filled with the standard-fare of protests – waving flags, banging drums, and chanted slogans.

“We’re here to demand the Canadian government impose an arms embargo. We want to see a ceasefire, and we’re calling for hands off Lebanon,” said Yara, a member of the Palestinian Youth Movement. She argued that Israel’s ability to escalate relies on the support of its allies.

The flag of Lebanon has become a regular sight at protests organized by Palestinian movements.

“Justin Trudeau has said time and time again that he wants to see a ceasefire, but of course words are one thing and action is another – and as long as the weapons continue to flow from Canada to Israel (as well as from the United States to Israel,) then Israel will have essentially a green light to expand this war.”

As the war in Gaza approaches its first anniversary, the devastating humanitarian consequences only continue to become more pronounced. Lack of food and shelter for the strip’s population are driving the situation towards catastrophe in Gaza’s approaching rainy season. With the war in the Middle East expanding, there is no end in sight for the mounting crises.

The war has also been difficult for the diasporic communities watching the horrors around the world. “It’s been a very challenging year for many Palestinians… seeing the government here continue to support Israel, seeing institutions, whether they be universities or other institutions invested in Israeli weapons… So, it is a very difficult environment for Palestinians to be in,” said Yara.

The protesters marched southeast from the American Consulate as the sun set.

“But also, it’s forced Palestinians to organize, to come together as a community, and to make these demands; and to build across different communities with the labour movement, with teachers, with healthcare workers who have been coming out into the streets week after week supporting Palestinian people.”

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