Epoch Times, Nov. 6, 2023
“The fact that we now see hundreds of people in the streets rallying in support of Hamas’ barbarity is no surprise since these groups have operated without impunity.”
Canada and other countries have seen a steady stream of protests against Israel and in support of Palestine since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and Israel’s subsequent declaration of war. Groups of various ideological mantles have been driving the movement, calling for the destruction of Israel and saying Canada is complicit in “genocide.”
Pro-Palestinian, leftist, and student groups are organizing actions, sometimes jointly, and use social media to announce events and share their messages.
A 30-year veteran of Canada’s intelligence community sees the scale and regularity of the protests as emerging from a combination of simmering discontent and skilled organizing. “The vast majority of people who are behind these demonstrations or those participating are just really [angry] people,” said Phil Gurksi, who now heads Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting. He says some of that anger is being driven by disinformation.
For example, Hamas had claimed that Israel bombed a hospital in Gaza City, killing hundreds, but Canada and other countries later said the explosion was caused by an errant rocket fired from within the Gaza Strip. “I do think there’s no question that there are elements tied to extremist groups that are milking [the conflict] at the same time, and probably contributing—whether it’s organizationally or financially or whatever,” Mr. Gurski said.. [To read the full article, click here]
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