Heavy police presence as thousands of Israel supporters rally in downtown Montreal

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Under grey skies and drizzle, thousands of joyful celebrants took part in a pro-Israel rally at a downtown Montreal square.

Recorded drumming and upbeat music could be heard for blocks, coming from speakers at Place du Canada, at René-Lévesque Blvd. and Peel St.

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There was a heavy police presence, with members of the Montreal police tactical squad on standby. Pro-Palestinian protesters were asked by police to stay across the street, at Dorchester Square.

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Supporters of Israel waved flags and danced to festive music, and posed for family selfies.

“It’s joyous because Israel has been able to survive and thrive for 76 years,” said Renna B., an attendee who declined to give her last name.

“And we are a country that loves life. We do not worship death and we feel very badly for every death that occurs, whether it’s an Israeli or a Palestinian. We just want peace.”

The pro-Israel event comes as a war rages between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and as pro-Palestinian protesters occupy encampments at McGill University and the Université du Québec à Montréal.

Speakers praised the crowd for standing together in support of Israel.

On a large screen mounted beside the stage, videos of celebrities and dignitaries, including Israel President Isaac Hertzog, were played for the crowd. Hertzog noted that Israel’s 76th year was marked by tragedy but “it reminds us of our core qualities and the power of our people to stand up against hatred.”

Speakers included Consul General for Israel Paul Hirschson, Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi and Rabbi Reuben Poupko of the Beth Israel Beth Aaron Congregation.

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Conservative Member of Parliament Melissa Lantsman told the crowd Israel has the right to defend itself in its homeland and criticized Canadian politicians who do not support that view.

She said that if the Conservatives are elected, “we will never again be on the wrong side of history, promising to put Canada-Israel relations at the top of the agenda. She called the pro-Palestinian encampments at Montreal campuses “outrageous.”

Tribute was paid to Liberal MP Anthony Housefather for his continued support for Israel and Canadian Jewish communities.

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Depending on the weather, 5,000 to 8,000 people were expected at the pro-Israel rally, an organizer told the Gazette on Monday.

It’s an annual event that normally attracts between 4,000 and 5,000 supporters of Israel.

The event, set to run from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., commemorates the country’s Independence Day – May 14, 1948.

Montreal4Palestine, a pro-Palestinian group with more than 35,000 followers on Instagram, had urged its supporters to stage a protest to denounce Israel at Place du Canada.

It said Israel’s “‘independence’ is our Nakba, our catastrophe – and has no right to be celebrated,” accusing Israel of being a “genocidal apartheid state” that has “slaughtered countless Palestinians.” The group urged supporters not to engage with those celebrating Israel, “as our goal is to disrupt, not confront.”

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Nakba refers to the mass displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

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About 150 pro-Palestinian protesters waved flags and chanted slogans from behind orange police tape.

“While you’re dancing, we are mourning, while you’re laughing, we are morning,” protesters chanted.

Several Palestinian supporters were ultra-Orthodox Jews from a sect that opposes the existence of Israel on religious grounds. One of them was heard chanting: “Judaism, yes, the State of Israel must go!”

Some children arriving at the Israeli event in a chartered bus yelled “fuck off” at the pro-Palestinian protesters. Three teenagers with Israeli flags briefly entered the Palestinian side but were quickly moved along by police.

A number of people at the Israel rally faced the pro-Palestinian demonstrators waving flags while others continued to celebrate behind them.

Organizers of the pro-Israel event told The Gazette about 150 private security personnel, including privately hired guards and volunteers, will be on hand.

A Superior Court judge is deliberating after hearing McGill’s request on Monday for an injunction to dismantle the camp.

ariga@postmedia.com

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