MONTREAL: A soiree to be attended by the prime ministers of Canada and Italy on Saturday in Toronto was cancelled over “security concerns”, the Canadian leader’s office said, as pro-Palestinian protesters picketed the venue.

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators had gathered in front of the Art Gallery of Ontario, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was due to host his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, according to Canadian media reports.

“Due to security concerns, the event was cancelled,” Jenna Ghass­abeh, a spokesperson for the Cana­dian prime minister’s office, said without giving further details. Meloni, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) nations, is visiting Canada ahead of a leaders’ summit in Italy in June.

Earlier in the day, the two leaders held talks where they discussed what Meloni described as a “very difficult Middle East crisis”.

According to Canadian public broad­caster CBC, protesters opposed to Canada’s response to the Israeli aggression. Between 200 and 300 demonstrators took part in the protest, according to the CBC.

Videos and photos circulating on social media showed a heavy police presence near the gallery.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2024