4 arrested at pro-Palestinian protest in Toronto that blocked rail line

Fourpeople have been arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest on Tuesday that blockeda rail linein Toronto'swest end, police say.

The protest wasnearPelhamAvenue and OslerStreet, close toDupont Street and Dundas Street West, on railway tracks that belong to CPKC,a combination ofCanadian Pacificand Kansas City Southern railways.

World Beyond War, a group that defines itself as a "global nonviolent movement" against war,said in a news release on Tuesday that demonstrators were calling on the Canadian government to impose an arms embargo on Israel as the Israel-Hamas war continues.

According to the group, the plan was toshut down freight services from Canada to the U.S.to showsolidarity with Palestiniansstarving in Gaza.

CPKCdid not respond to a request for comment.

Dalia Awwad, spokesperson forthe advocacy group Palestinian Youth Movement, said in the release that demonstrators are urgingthe federal government to act.

"For months, as calls from our families and friends in Gaza have grown increasingly dire, we have written, phoned, and petitioned our MPs. We have held teach-ins, community meetings and town halls,"Awwadsaid in the release.

"We have flyered, marched, picketed, and rallied at every government office you can name. And yet still the Canadian government has refused to act decisively to save Palestinian lives and impose a full arms embargo on Israel," Awwad added. "So we have no choice but escalate, and stop the weapons being sent to and from Israel ourselves."

Most Liberal MPs, including cabinet ministers, joined the NDP in backing a motion last monthcalling for an end to new export permits for arms bound for Israel. The motion was heavily amended by the Liberals before going to a vote.

Confusion over what the motion actually does in practice grew in the dayssince with some groups arguing it amounted to anarms embargo and others saying it simply reinforcedbusiness as usual.

Israel has condemned the motion.

Police said they expect to know by Wednesday morning if the fourwill be charged and what those charges will be.

Shortly after 9 p.m., police said the protesters had dispersedand the tracks were clear.