A planned meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at an Ontario art gallery was cancelled due to blockades set up by pro-Palestinian protesters. Approximately 30 demonstrators gathered around the Art Gallery of Ontario, prompting the institution to initiate a lockdown.

A spokesperson for Mr. Trudeau's office cited security concerns as the reason for the cancellation of the event.

Protesters chanting slogans expressed their discontent with Trudeau's government's backing of Israel in the Gaza conflict, which was triggered by a Hamas attack on October 7, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of around 250 others.

"You are complicit in the genocide. Your hands are red. You are complicit in the murder of my family members and my friends," one protester told Mr. Trudeau.

Police attempted to shield attendees of the event, who were forced to navigate through the mob encircling the building.

Canada’s international development minister, Ahmed Hussen, encountered obstruction at the main entrance and was subsequently trailed by protesters for two blocks as he sought an alternate route into the building.

Mr. Trudeau's government has labelled Hamas as a terrorist organization and has voiced support for Israel's right to self-defense. Additionally, it has backed calls for a ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of aid to Gaza.

During her visit to Toronto, Italy's Prime Minister since 2022, Ms. Meloni, engaged in discussions with Mr. Trudeau covering various topics, including what she termed the "very difficult Middle East crisis."

Since the outbreak of the war, pro-Palestine protests have spread throughout the country. In recent weeks, Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto was the focus of protests, where patients and medical staff reported instances of harassment as they attempted to enter the premises.

According to reports, demonstrators surrounded a Jewish doctor's car and pounded on it as she attempted to leave.

Authorities, who stated that they are investigating the incident, have faced accusations of neglecting to intervene to ensure the safety of staff and patients.

Canadian MP Marco Mendicino criticised the attack on Mount Sinai Hospital, which has strong ties to the city's Jewish community.

In a statement on X, Mendicino described targetting the hospital to incite intifada against Israel and the Jewish people as blatantly antisemitic and detrimental to the well-being and safety of both patients and medical professionals at the facility.

Image source: The Telegraph