Hundreds of members of Montreal's Jewish community gathered outside of the Israeli Consulate in Westmount at noon Monday to voice their support for Israel, and defend what is being described as its "legitimate right to enforce an arms blockade on the Hamas-ruled Gaza strip."
The rally was organized in response to fierce international pressure and criticism for Israel's commando raid on a convoy of aid ships heading to the Gaza strip last week.
The six ships were ordered to stop their journey into Gaza -- which is under an Israeli blockade -- before they were raided by Israeli forces. They were in international waters, about 130 kilometres from the Gaza coast, when the raid began in the early hours of Monday morning.
Nine activists were killed.
But protesters who gathered Monday said the story has been distorted by the media, and argued that Israel did nothing wrong.
"There's been a level of criticism against Israel which we think is unfair," said Rabbi Reuben J. Poupko, of the Canadian Rabbinic Cabinet.
"The community -- Jewish and non-Jewish -- have come together to show their support for Israel and to support Israel's right to defend itself," he added.
The Israeli government said that when commandos landed on the ships, they were attacked with sticks, knives and hit with gunfire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the soldiers had no choice but to defend themselves.
Weekend protest
A protest against Israel's actions was held in downtown Montreal Saturday, drawing about 500 people.
A few protesters were spotted burning Israeli flags and carrying cloths marked with swastikas.
Poupko criticized those protesters for their "incendiary rhetoric against the state" and said Israel must "protect its borders and make sure Gaza doesn't become a launching pad for attack on Israeli citizens."
With files from CTV.ca News Staff
