Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

Canada Palestine Assoc.: Repressive practices surge amid Gaza genocide

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Canada Palestine Association
  • 22 Jan 2024 16:38
4 Min Read

The Canada Palestine Association details how the Canadian leadership has been repressing pro-Palestine supporters in service of "Israel" but despite that, the narrative across Canada is changing.

  • x
  • The Canada Palestine Association and pro-Palestine supports rally in Vancouver, Canada on January 6, 2024. (Canada Palestine Association)
    The Canada Palestine Association and pro-Palestine supports rally in Vancouver, Canada on January 6, 2024. (Canada Palestine Association)

In a press statement, the Canada Palestine Association in Canada revealed that in recent months, the country has witnessed a surge in anti-Palestinian repression, with concerns raised about politicians and municipal police forces displaying racist behavior. Major cities across the country, from Vancouver to Ottawa, Calgary, and Toronto, have reported increased instances of "police harassment of pro-Palestine events."

Activists confronted repressive practices, and vowed to continue their struggle in the face of "Israel's genocide." Meanwhile, at the University of British Columbia (UBC), controversy brews as Israeli occupation soldiers "who have been part of the daily murder of Palestinians" offer their "insights from the ground" during events on campus.

According to the press release the Vancouver city council which was elected in 2022 also came under scrutiny for being "blatantly pro-Israel" and adopting the controversial IHRA definition, which redefines anti-Semitism as criticism of "Israel", including anti-Zionism, as one of their first orders of business. This support from the council was followed by increased police hostility at Palestinian solidarity events.

People vs. Police: a repressive practice

Pro-Palestine protests in Vancouver, post-October 7, 2023, witnessed a significant police presence, including the deployment of canine units, read the statement before adding that some activists described these rallies as among the most heavily policed in Vancouver's history, leading to several arrests, including that of a minor.

The release detailed that by October 9, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim had publicly expressed his support for "Israel" while smearing Palestinian supporters as "terrorists". Moreover, it was noted that Sim even called for an investigation into "anti-Israel rallies". The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) activated its "Operations Centre." It even integrated "specialized resources and a senior command structure" despite having reiterated, time and time again, that there was "no specific threat identified."

Related News

Delta plane flips upside down, crashes in Toronto, 8 wounded

Netanyahu's request to ban 'The Bibi Files' screening at TIFF rejected

The VPD, according to the press release, "doubled down on its anti-Palestinian racism" in a new statement, published on January 16, which alleged: "Tensions from the Israel-Hamas war have fueled increases in protest activity and hate crimes in Vancouver, resulting in rising anti-Semitism and more than $2.5 million in overtime costs to the Vancouver Police Department since October 7 alone."

According to the Canada Palestine Association, it is significant to note "the dominant Zionist and Western narrative" which categorized the "Israeli genocide" as the "Israel-Hamas war", and then "seamlessly and erroneously transitioning into how this has fueled 'hate crimes' and 'anti-Semitism'."

The press release also revealed that similar anti-Palestinian repression has been reported in Ottawa and Toronto, including fines for using megaphones, bans on specific protests, and charges of "public incitement of hatred." In Calgary, on the other hand, it went so far that an activist initially faced a "hate motivation" charge said the Association.

Strengths in numbers

The "Zionist lobby" and its "friends and backers" are genuinely "astounded" by the "massive support" for Palestine and its "longevity," noted the Association. Moreover, it was emphasized that the lobby has been incapable of comprehending how "diverse communities," including "indigenous sisters and brothers," are uniting across various activities to advocate for an "end to the genocide" and a "Free Palestine."

Some have gone to the extent of suggesting that pro-Palestine protestors are being "paid" to participate, following an offer of funds from a local Victoria BC collective for rally expenses, said the press release which highlighted that the lobby even quoted a municipal councilor questioning the involvement of "offshore money."

The press release also explained that the dominance of the "Zionist narrative" in Canada has been long-standing, with the assumption that their actions are justifiable and those who dissent are often labeled as "anti-Semitic." However, the Association added, things are changing, and there is no return to the old "status quo".

The Canada Palestine Association concluded by stating that "Israel and its imperial backers, the US, and other Western countries, should realize there is a new world dawning, and there is no place in it for such brutal and regressive states."

Read more: Canada dismisses South Africa's genocide case against 'Israel' at ICJ

  • Toronto
  • Canada Palestine Association
  • ottawa
  • vancouver
  • Canada
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS