On October 10, a peace agreement brokered by the United States and supported by Egypt and Qatar was signed by representatives of Israel and Hamas in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Although the deal is in effect, tensions remain high, and protests continue in various locations, including Montreal. A prominent group, Montreal for Palestine, has made its intentions clear, stating that their goal is not merely a ceasefire but the destruction of Israel and what they refer to as “Nazi Zionists.”

During a recent protest at Dorchester Square, attendees gathered to honor Saleh al-Jafarawi, who was described in social media posts as “brave” and someone who “shared the truth with a smile.” The event featured an image of al-Jafarawi wearing a press vest, with the caption, “They Tried to Silence Him, But the Martyr Never Dies.” However, al-Jafarawi was not a journalist; he was a social media influencer known for celebrating the October 7 attacks in a self-recorded video. He later gained notoriety for creating viral videos in which he impersonated various figures, including a journalist and a wounded patient. Al-Jafarawi was reportedly killed on October 12 during clashes in Gaza.

The Montreal for Palestine protests typically begin with emotional songs. One woman sang, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” while another speaker emphasized that the Free Palestine movement is rooted in love and claimed, “there isn’t a drop of antisemitic blood” in his body. However, the tone shifted when speakers addressed the crowd. One speaker claimed, “We see the ceasefire right now being broken and it’s really urgent, we need as much people as we can,” without mentioning that Hamas had violated the ceasefire by firing at Israeli troops, resulting in the deaths of two Israeli Defense Forces soldiers.

In response, Israel conducted airstrikes that reportedly killed 33 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Protesters were later asked to stand on elevated stairs and hold printed images of individuals the organizers claimed were “martyred” journalists for photos that would be shared on social media. One speaker stated, “There are reparations that need to be paid … Ceasefire or not … You’re gonna pay the price.”

The ongoing peace deal remains fragile, and the protests reflect a complex narrative. Attendees expressed distrust of the media, as evidenced by an interaction where a woman questioned a reporter about recording the event. This occurred after a speaker suggested that the reporter was “sneaking around” and taking pictures for ulterior motives.

As the situation evolves, the dynamics of the protests and the ongoing conflict continue to draw attention, highlighting the challenges of achieving lasting peace in the region.