Pro-Palestine Protest: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Italian PM Georgia Meloni could not attend the event organized in Toronto due to security reasons. Pro-Palestinian protesters surrounded the venue, forcing the Art Gallery of Ontario to close. Protesters criticized the Canadian government’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war and accused PM Justin Trudeau of funding the massacre in Gaza.
CBC News, citing PM Trudeau’s office, reported that it was difficult for Trudeau and Meloney to reach the venue because the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) was closed following the protests. A PMO spokesperson said that ‘the program was canceled due to security concerns.’ Police said there were 200-300 protesters outside the gallery, but it was difficult to estimate their number. Protesters gathered outside several entrances. These people were not allowing anyone to go to the venue.
Protestors stopped the minister
According to CBC News, International Development Minister Ahmed Hussain tried to enter through the main entrance, but protesters blocked his way and chased the minister for some distance. During this, a protestor shouted at him and said, ‘You are involved in genocide. Your hands are stained with blood. You are involved in the murder of my family members and my friends. Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni was in Toronto to meet with Trudeau during the demonstration.
Israel-Hamas ongoing war
Last year, Hamas carried out a terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, killing more than 1200 people and taking about 250 people hostage. After this, Israel launched a large-scale retaliatory attack against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. According to Gaza health officials, more than 30,000 people have lost their lives so far in the Israeli military campaign.
Canada considers Hamas a ‘terrorist group’ and has repeatedly said that ‘Israel has the right to defend itself.’ According to CBC News report, recently Ottawa called for a ceasefire in the conflict due to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.