Toronto Peace Activists March in Solidarity to End the Illegal Siege of Gaza

December 20, 2009

Rally in Support of the Gaza Freedom March

Sunday, December 27 from 1pm – 3pm
180 Bloor Street West, Toronto

Marching in solidarity with the Palestinian people of Gaza to break the illegal blockade.

On December 31, 2009, more than 1,300 citizens from across the world (including more than 55 Canadians) will join with an estimated 50,000 Palestinians in a peaceful march to the Erez border crossing into Israel. This historic non-violent action has been organized by The International Coalition to End the Illegal Siege of Gaza.

Its objective is to draw international attention to the siege and blockade of Gaza which are illegal under international law. Sandra Ruch, Canadian Coordinator of the Gaza Freedom March committee says, ”It is now one year later, and no progress has been made. In fact the situation is worse than ever. Hospitals lack many medicines and supplies to provide even routine medical care. Building materials so desperately needed after the last winter’s invasion by Israel are not permitted into Gaza.”

Dec. 27 will mark one year since the Israeli attack and invasion of the Gaza Strip. Although the Israeli tanks have left, the complete closure of the borders continues. According to the United Nations, the most recent invasion left 1,400 Palestinian civilians dead, thousands injured and hundreds of thousands homeless, many of whom still live in tents.

The Gaza Strip has been subject to Israeli control since the end of the Six-Day War in 1967. Although all the settlements were vacated and the Israeli Defense Forces withdrew from Gaza in 2005, Gaza’s borders remained tightly controlled by the Israeli government and subject to regular attacks. Since 2007, Israel, with the help of Egypt and support by the United States, closed all the border crossings into Gaza, effectively cutting off access to the basic goods and services which can only be obtained from Israel, and preventing movement of people.

Israel’s blockade of Gaza is a flagrant violation of international law that has led to mass suffering. Canada, the U.S., the European Union, and the rest of the international community are complicit. The law is clear. The conscience of humankind is shocked. Yet, the siege of Gaza continues.

For background on Gaza and the march, please visit www.gazafreedommarch.ca


For more information contact:
Sandra Ruch
Canadian Coordinator
Gaza Freedom March committee
Phone: 416-716-4010
Email: miriamswell@hotmail.com
Website: www.gazafreedommarch.ca

Ehab Lotayef
International Steering Committee
Phone: 514 941 9792
Email: lotayef@gmail.com
Website: www.gazafreedommarch.ca

Haidar Eid
Phone: +972 599 441 766
Email: haidareid@yahoo.com