Jewish pro-Palestinian protesters occupy Ottawa Parliament building
A group of Jewish-Canadian activists protesting Israel's ongoing armed offensive in Gaza occupied a parliamentary building in Ottawa on Tuesday morning.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
The demonstration organized by the Jews Say No to Genocide Coalition filled the lobby of the Confederation Building on Wellington Street, which houses the offices of many government and opposition members of Parliament.
Demonstrators were also seen protesting outside the building.
Videos shared to social media showed protesters holding a sit-in while holding signs, chanting and singing. The demonstration was held in support of Palestinians and to call on the Canadian government to implement an arms embargo with Israel.
"Our politicians cannot be complacent in these marble hallways while Israel continues to burn Palestinians alive in their tents," said Niall Ricardo an organizer with the group Independent Jewish Voices Canada, in a news release.
The Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS) says it responded to the protest.
A Pro-Palestinian protester is detained by an officer from the Parliamentary Protective Service outside of Confederation Building near Parliament Hill during a sit-in styled protest calling for an arms embargo against Israel in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Spencer Colby/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
"14 individuals were intercepted and released without charges by PPS officers, and provided with trespass notices on Parliament Hill," PPS said in a statement.
The Ottawa Police Service says it was asked to support PPS with the demonstrators. No additional charges were announced.
More than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens to cut off energy to U.S. in response to Trump's tariffs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened to cut off energy supply to the U.S. in response to the tariffs President-elect Donald Trump plans to impose on all Canadian imports.
Elon Musk calls Justin Trudeau 'insufferable tool' in new social media post
Billionaire Elon Musk is calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'an insufferable tool' in a new social media post on Wednesday. 'Won't be in power for much longer,' Musk also wrote about the prime minister on 'X.'
Trudeau will have to 'kiss the ring' to achieve smoother bilateral relations with Trump: John Bolton
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants to get on U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's good side for the sake of a smooth bilateral relationship, he'll likely have to be openly deferential, says former U.S. National Security Advisor, John Bolton.
Toronto agency launches court challenge against new law that would shutter some supervised consumption sites
A social agency that runs a supervised consumption service (SCS) in Toronto’s Kensington Market has launched a court challenge against new legislation that will see 10 such sites shuttered across the province, arguing that the law violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
MAID cases rose to 15,000 in 2023, but growth of cases halved
More than 15,000 people received medical assistance in dying in Canada in 2023, but federal statistics show the growth in cases has slowed significantly.
Luxury real estate brokers charged in federal indictment with sex trafficking in NYC
Two luxury real estate brokers and their brother have been charged with luring, drugging and violently raping dozens of women over more than a decade.
Police locate labyrinth of tunnels connecting tents to generator in Hamilton encampment
Hamilton police say that they discovered a series of 'man-made holes and tunnels' during a patrol of a downtown encampment earlier this week.
Certain foods may disrupt your body's fight against cancer cells, study says
The food you eat may be affecting your body’s ability to fight cancer cells in the colon, according to a new study.
Banks lower prime rates following Bank of Canada move
Canadian financial institutions are lowering their prime lending rates to match the decrease announced by the Bank of Canada.