Anti-Zionist Jews occupy Ottawa parliament demanding arms embargo

Around a hundred activists were joined by at least two NDP politicians at the Canadian parliament protest.

By MICHAEL STARR DECEMBER 4, 2024 14:49

A Canadian flag flies in front of the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. March 22, 2017. (photo credit: REUTERS/CHRIS WATTIE)

Almost one hundred anti-Zionist Jewish activists and at least two politicians occupied the Canadian parliament building in Ottawa on Tuesday in a protest demanding the establishment of an arms embargo against the State of Israel, according to activist organizers and local politicians. 

Jews Say No To Genocide coalition activists sat in the building singing and raising banners calling for a "two-way arms embargo" -- to cease the purchase and sale of military equipment between Canada and Israel. 

BREAKING: One hundred of us - Jewish Canadians and allies including IJV members - have occupied a parliamentary building in Ottawa to demand Canada stop arming and participating in Israel's genocide against Palestinians. @JewsSayNo pic.twitter.com/CHyIChIt59

— Independent Jewish Voices (@IndJewishVoices) December 3, 2024

New Democratic Party Parliament members Matthew Green and Heather McPherson joined the protesters during their sit-in, according to their Instagram accounts.

Fourteen activists were arrested when Canadian law enforcement responded to the incident, according to Tuesday social media posts by coalition group Independent Jewish Voices, but were later released. 

Activist Judy Rebick addressed the protesters in a video published on social media by Jews Say No To Genocide, explaining that she wanted to devote herself to helping others, which to her was the "heart of Judaism."

"I'm a secular Jew -- and the trolls say 'oh she's not really Jewish' -- but I am Jewish, and I was born and raised to know that Jews believe in supporting oppressed people -- They don't oppress them," said Rebick. 

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs condemned the coalition as a fringe group that had tried to "invade" MPs' offices, and argued that they did not represent the broader Jewish community. The sentiment was echoed by Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi, who noted that there were 400,000 Jews in the country and the coalition represented an extreme minority. 

"Your attempt to distort the voice of the Jewish community will not go unchallenged," said Levi. "We stand united, unwavering, and resolute in our support of Israel."

Albanese praises activists 

United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese praised the activist coalition, contending that anti-Zionist Jews and Israelis were rekindling interfaith and communal bonds "that existed in the Arab world before 1948."

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"Fighting against Apartheid is not just a struggle for freedom in Israel/Palestine," Albanese said on X. "It is a blueprint for a more peaceful future for all of us."

In March, the Liberal Party-led government passed a non-binding motion calling for a halt to arms exports during the war. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly later confirmed that an arms embargo would become Canadian policy.