Windsor adds voice to ‘Hands off Jerusalem’ protests

For seven generations, Palestinians have been without a place they can call their homeland. Many of them have never met their relatives from what most of the Muslim world considers occupied territories.

On Dec. 11, President Donald Trump’s announcement of recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital was met with fierce resistance.

Emergency marches under the banner, Hands off Jerusalem happened world-wide, including the calm little city of Windsor, Ont.

Around 300 people, mostly of second generation Middle Eastern decent, braved freezing weather conditions outside city hall to chant slogans, pray and read out a list of demands over a bull horn aimed at the U.S and Justin Trudeau’s government.

The protest was organized by two University of Windsor students. Moussa Hamadani, a fourth-year International Relations student and Ahmed Khalifa, a teaching assistant.

“We are here today to send a clear message to the U.S. that we reject his declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” Khalifa shouted over the amplifier. “We come here today to also request the Canadian government to make a clear stance and say that Jerusalem is for the indigenous Palestinian people.”

Abdullah Hammoud, Imam in the community of Windsor, likens Trump’s move to the Balfour declaration of 1917 which many see as laying the foundation of the modern day Jewish state.

Hammoud clasps his hands and gestures towards Detroit. “Now Trump is giving a gift to the occupier from the pocket of the other people. It’s not from his pocket. He’s got no right to do this at all.”

For Hammoud it is a matter of heritage and spiritual belonging.

“Palestine is an Arab land. It goes back to the time of Abraham, even before Abraham. In fact, 4,000 years back” says Hammoud.

“It’s a sacred place to the Muslims. It’s a history. It’s the first direction of the Muslims.”

Debbie Assaid, a protester with a heavy accent, says her parents were born in Palestine in 1948 but were ejected from the country at a very young age.

“My parents left for Lebanon. They live there now, still as refugees.” Debbie has been living in Windsor for 26 years. “I came to Canada as a refugee. I have never seen my home country.”

Hammoud reflects on Kahlifa and Hamadani’s efforts like that of a proud father.

“They are the ones who are reminding us,” said Hammoud. “And I believe that already their roots are tied to Palestine. So, they are reading the history, they are educated. They are educating the adults on Palestine. We have absolutely no fear that the new generation will be aware of what’s going on there.”

Khalifa says he hopes the movement will raise awareness about the international human rights issue.

Margaret Villamizar from the Windsor Peace Coalition and a Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada member is one of a handful of people present of European decent. She predicts Trump’s decisions will invariably be followed by protests like these.

“Trump is the figure head, the commander in chief of an imperialist power that basically backs the cause of the Zionists who are occupying Palestine. What he does would be determined by the resistance of the people I think,” Villamizar says.

There were no visible law enforcement officials or city representatives present at the protest.

The U.N., including Canada reiterated its commitment to lasting peace through a two-state solution which they still insist will resolve tensions in the divided city.