Arrests were made during a protest near a Toronto-area synagogue where a real estate event was being held to sell properties in the occupied West Bank.
Real estate agents and businesses participating in the session, dubbed the Great Israel Real Estate Event, gathered Thursday at Toronto's Beth Abraham Yosef in Thornhill, Ont., for one of five shows that are part of an extensive North American tour. It became one.
York Regional Police confirmed to CBC Toronto that arrests were made at the demonstration near Clark Avenue West and York Hill Boulevard, but did not confirm who was arrested or whether any charges were laid. has not disclosed details.
The website allows customers to inquire about buying real estate in Ma'ale Adumim, Efrat, and Neve Daniel (all Israeli settlements in the West Bank, according to the United Nations), as well as in other Israeli cities. Says. Participating companies include Israel My Home and Noam Homes, according to its website.
The United Nations, like Canada, considers Israeli settlements in the occupied territories to be a violation of international law.
The website indicates that the areas featured in this major “Israeli real estate event” include parts of the occupied West Bank. (Realestateisrael.org)
Rabbi Daniel Korobkin of Beth Abraham Yosef in Toronto said the majority of the land for sale is in “proper Israel,” but other land may be made available to participants. he said.
“What's happening is just an information night, no properties are being traded,” Korobkin told CBC Toronto.
He said real estate events like Thursday's have been held in the community for years.
“If the Canadian provinces wish to take any legal action in this regard, they are free to do so.”
Settlements are 'serious obstacle' to peace: Canada
Ahead of the event, the Canadian government told CBC Toronto that it “does not recognize Israel's permanent control over the territory it occupied in 1967 and strongly opposes illegal settlement outposts in the West Bank.” he said repeatedly.
Global Affairs Canada spokesperson John Babcock wrote that “settlements are also a significant obstacle to achieving an inclusive, just and lasting peace,” adding that Canada has It added that it “strongly condemns” violence by extremist settlers.
“Canada is also gravely concerned by reports that Palestinian communities in the West Bank are being forcibly removed from their lands.”
When asked whether events promoting land sales in the West Bank are allowed in Canada and whether there are any legal implications for Canadians purchasing property in these settlements, the government responded: I didn't.
Pro-Palestinian protesters confront police during Thursday's demonstration. (Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)
local politicians, including Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca; Gila Murtaugh, Congresswoman Laura Smith, and Congresswoman Melissa Lanzman released a joint statement on Wednesday saying it is unacceptable for “places of worship” to be targeted by protesters, saying, “We want to ensure that places of worship do not continue to exist. I am committed to doing everything I can.” You will be targeted in this way. ”
The group's statement did not address the legality of the event. CBC Toronto has reached out to the office for additional comment.
When asked for comment on the real estate event, the City of Vaughan referred to the joint statement.
The Great Israeli Real Estate Event held a show in Montreal on Tuesday. A Quebec court has temporarily banned protests near several Jewish facilities near synagogues after a series of demonstrations outside community buildings.
demonstrators clash
Farah Martel, who attended the event with the group Toronto 4 Palestine, said people organized outside the synagogue to protest the “illegal sale of stolen Palestinian land to facilitate illegal Israeli settlements.” said that it was done.
“As Muslims, Jews and Christians, we stand to protect our places of worship. [aren’t] It was used as a cover to promote illegal activities and violations of international law,” Mehta said.
“Our government is condoning this and is encouraging further displacement of Palestinians.”
Farah Mateh of Toronto 4 Palestine and Mohamed William of the Palestinian Youth Movement said they were protesting a real estate event featuring properties for sale in the West Bank at a synagogue in Thornhill, Ont. (Chris Langensalde/CBC News)
Mohammed William of the Palestinian Youth Movement agreed. He called on Canada to “end the collusion” by “severing ties with the Israeli government, imposing sanctions, imposing an arms embargo, and condemning the occupation of Palestinian land.”
Korobkin said that ahead of the demonstration, the synagogue sent out a call to members of its congregation that spread like “wildfire” to the larger Jewish community, calling on them to take action against pro-Palestinian demonstrators. That's what it means. I attended the synagogue for reasons other than real estate events.
Their counter-protests are aimed at “showing that we will not be intimidated or frightened into silence or submission,” Korobkin said.
The protest is the second in Toronto in the past week over concerns about the sale of occupied land. Dozens of people gathered Sunday near the Aish HaTorah synagogue in Thornhill, Ont., to protest an event that organizers say is aimed at helping people in the Toronto area buy property in Israel.
A real estate agent involved in the event said it was “absolutely, 100 percent false” that properties on “disputed” land were advertised during the event.
A man suspected of firing a nail gun at at least one pro-Palestinian protester and shouting obscenities at others has been arrested and charged.
Great Israel Real Estate Events also held a show in Montreal on Tuesday, which was met with demonstrations and counter-demonstrations the following evening. In response, a Quebec court temporarily banned protests near several Jewish facilities near the synagogue where the protests were held.
These real estate events were held amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, following an October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel that left approximately 1,200 Israelis and foreigners dead. Since then, Israel has hit back with relentless attacks that have so far killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian figures.
Late last month, the Associated Press reported that Israel plans to build more than 3,300 new homes in settlements in the occupied West Bank. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was “disappointed” to hear the announcements and called them “counterproductive” to achieving peace.
