Hundreds of people rallied in Brantford over the war in Gaza on Sunday, October 22, 2023.
The rally was held to protest a proposed resolution put forth by Brantford’s City Council, and calling for more Canadian support for Palestinians.
Palestinians and their supporters protested outside Brantford City Hall calling on the federal government to do more to help Palestinians caught up in the siege of Gaza.
Nasser Hamed from the Brantford Muslim Association said they are asking the Canadian government to call for a ceasefire and let humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Protestors are also telling Brantford City Council to stay out of the Middle East conflict, with the final vote on the resolution coming up at their next regular Council meeting on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.
“This motion is total support for Israel. Just taking the side of the Israeli government and forgetting about the Palestinian people. We are asking them to mind the business, their own business,” Hamed said.
Shortly after the attack on Israel on October 7, City Council approved a proposed resolution condemning the actions of Hamas during their Committee of the Whole meeting on October 17, 2023.
“This truly is hate and it will cause death and suffering,” Councillor Dan McCreary said.
Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis said he strongly condemns the brutal terrorist attack.
“I extend my condolences to all of the innocent civilians regardless of whether they live in Palestine or Israel,” Davis said.
Brantford City Council is scheduled to consider the resolution on Israel on Tuesday evening, and protesters say council should look at both sides of the conflict.
“I’m against it. I’m going to be there on Tuesday and I will make my voice heard by my Councillor,” Ibrahim Kanaan of the Palestinian Association of Brantford said.
