Pro-Palestinian Demonstration in Montreal: Demonstrators Burn a Photo of Netanyahu

Pro-Palestinian and anti-NATO demonstrations took place this weekend in Montreal, on the sidelines of a meeting of senior NATO officials. The protests degenerated into violence, leading to the arrest of three people.

According to media reports, before the planned marches, demonstrators burned a photo of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the street, accompanying their gesture with smoke bombs. Metal barriers were also thrown up to keep law enforcement at bay. Montreal police said protesters vandalized the windows of the Palais des Congrès, where the NATO summit was being held, as well as several surrounding businesses. Faced with these excesses, the police used pepper spray, tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd. Three people were arrested for assaulting police officers and obstructing the work of law enforcement.

During the dispersal, the demonstrators set fire to two vehicles, according to local police authorities. This demonstration takes place in a context of growing tensions and international mobilizations linked to the conflict in the Middle East, while NATO leaders met in the Quebec metropolis.