Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists took to the streets across Canada on Saturday, angry at what they call the federal government's tepid response to Israel's blockade and raids on ships carrying aid for Gaza.

Protesters marched through Montreal's downtown core with Palestinian and Turkish flags held high. They chanted “Free Palestine” and “Boycott Israel” and halted traffic.

Laith Marouf, a long-time pro-Palestinian activist and one of the organizers of the protest, accused the Conservative government of taking orders from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“The Canadian government's stance has been very disturbing,” he said. “It is unfortunate the Canadian government does not stand up for international law.”

He added: “It seems they are very Christian-Zionist in their ideology.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement of regret following the Israeli raid last Monday that left nine pro-Palestinian activists dead.

Ayari Sherifa, 53, marching at the head of the crowd of protesters and brandishing a sign calling for an end to Israel's blockade on Gaza, called the government's stance “shameful.”

Activists plan Canadian-Quebec flotilla

“We're ashamed of being Canadian because of Harper,” she said. “The rights of Palestinians are being taken away to help the Israelis.”

The activists were also collecting money for the Free Gaza Movement and hope to fund a joint Canadian-Quebec flotilla of their own in the coming months.

In Toronto, protesters gathered outside the Israeli Consulate, waving Palestinian flags and facing off against a smaller group of Israel supporters across the street. Police officers lined the streets, some on horseback, as tensions were apparent on both sides.

Demonstrators expressed outrage over the killings of activists aboard the flotilla.

“As a human rights activist, as a political activist, it is my duty to stand up and say enough is enough,” said Ehssan Tehrani, 29, as he yelled over the chanting crowd.

“I think it's despicable. You have a group of human rights activist or humanitarians who basically just want to go and provide aid,” said Tehrani. “I don't think anyone should be denied access to these basic necessities of life.”

A calmer Sadat Anwar, 33, stood along the perimeter of the protest. “This time it wasn't just Arabs,” he said.

“When you have people of different nationalities it's going to be hard to paint them all as terrorists.”

Several hundred people turned out in downtown Vancouver.

Traffic came to a halt as they marched down a street chanting, “End the occupation now” and “Justice,” as two police officers on bicycles followed the group.

Demonstrations were organized for many other cities, including Ottawa.