Opposing protests in Montreal differ in opinion on the conflict in Iran

Demonstrations in Montreal were held both condemning and praising the American and Israeli attack on Iran.

In Montreal, a divided Iranian community held competing demonstrations on Saturday with two very different messages.

One protest, which began at Cabot Square, brought together Iranian expats, who argue that military intervention is necessary.

At Phillips Square, a pro-Iranian group supported by a large contingency of pro-Palestinian activists say the current bombing in Iran doesn’t serve anyone in the country or region.

“I think that they did not know what they were getting into,” said one protest organizer, Zeyad Asaad. “We know that Israel was pushing for this war for a long time.”

“We are every week here to support our country, but this one, especially, is to support the action of President Trump to say thanks to President Trump and President Netanyahu for the action they made to protect Iranian people,” said Mahbod Nazeri, a protester from the other camp.

The bombing in Iran began a week ago, and has since spread to southern Lebanon and other Arab Gulf states.

“We are against war, against any form of foreign intervention, regardless of what is going on in the country,” said Mona Ghassemi of the Iranian-Canadian Congress. “We believe it is up to the people of Iran to decide their fate, and the interference of other countries is always going to be to the detriment of the freedom of the people, and it’s all they’ve ever done in their own benefit of the foreign interests.”

Demonstrators in favour of the U.S. and Israeli actions say that the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Al Khameni means that Prince Resa Palavi, the son of the disgraced Shah of Iran who was ousted in 1979, is the only legitimate leader of Iran.

“So we don’t support war, but right now, war is the only solution,” said protester Ayri Karnai. “You cannot negotiate with someone who is doing nothing but killing and murdering people and children.”

One thing that both sides agree on is that the conflict will likely not end soon.