Protesters calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza are staging a peaceful sit-in at MP Joanne Thompson’s constituency office in St. John’s today.

It’s part of a nation-wide plea for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet to call for an immediate Israeli ceasefire in Gaza.

Calls for a ceasefire have been intensifying in light of the mounting number of civilian deaths caused by Israeli bombing in Gaza and the growing humanitarian crisis in the region.

Trudeau came under considerable scrutiny from Canada’s Jewish community earlier in the week after making comments that were interpreted as critical of Israel in reference to that nation’s response to the horrific attacks on Israeli citizens on October 7.

Trudeau subsequently met with former Israeli defence minister Benny Gantz, who is serving in Israel’s war cabinet.

In a release issued by the Prime Minister’s office, Trudeau “reaffirmed Canada’s long-standing support for Israel and its right to defend itself in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law.”