Ceremonies, occasions and protests are being held throughout Canada right this moment to mark the anniversary of a Hamas assault on Israel that triggered the continuing battle in Gaza.
The Oct. 7, 2023 assault killed greater than 1,200 Israelis, whereas one other 250 have been kidnapped and held as hostages, triggering an Israeli counter-offensive in Gaza that the well being ministry there says has left greater than 41,000 useless.
The battle has had far-reaching results world wide and in Canada, together with households grieving family members who have been killed, lots of of protests leading to arrests, pro-Palestinian encampments at universities and a spike in stories of hate crimes in opposition to Jews and Muslims.
On the one-year anniversary, police in Canada’s largest cities are stepping up protections, notably round Jewish and Muslim locations of worship and at occasions being held to commemorate Oct. 7.
A Toronto police van was parked out entrance of a Hebrew day faculty alongside Bathurst Road in one of many metropolis’s most recognizably Jewish neighbourhoods. On the nook, a big poster known as for the return of hostages.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau marked the grim anniversary in a press release, saying his ideas are with all Israelis and Jewish individuals, and with the Jewish group in Canada.
Trudeau condemned Hamas and mentioned his authorities stays dedicated to working in the direction of a two-state answer, “the place Israelis and Palestinians can dwell securely inside internationally acknowledged borders.”
“Hamas has set the area down a path of battle and violence. We mourn the Canadians and all civilians killed within the 12 months that adopted. We condemn Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, whose mindless assaults result in extra loss of life and instability.
“The size of civilian casualties since Oct. 7 is heartbreaking and unacceptable, and all actors should adjust to worldwide regulation. The struggling should finish, and we should return to the trail towards lasting peace and safety for Israelis, Palestinians, Lebanese, and others throughout the area.”
In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford expressed condolences for these whose family members have been killed or taken hostage within the Oct. 7 assault, and vowed to fight antisemitism and hate within the province.
“We are going to proceed to face up in opposition to hate wherever it’s discovered and work to foster understanding, unity and respect in our province and communities,” he mentioned in a press release.
Jewish teams throughout the nation are holding occasions in cities together with Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to mourn the victims of the assault and name for the return of hostages.
In the meantime, a number of protests are additionally deliberate to specific solidarity with the Palestinian individuals, together with one in Montreal, billed as supporting Palestinians’ combat for “whole liberation.”
“This upcoming Monday, we are going to take over the streets of Montreal in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Palestine,” mentioned the group Montreal4Palestine in an Instagram put up promoting the occasion.
“We are going to renew our help to the resistance and proceed to help the combat for freedom by any means needed.”
In the meantime, the teams that organized a months-long encampment on McGill College’s downtown campus final spring and summer season are planning a walkout and march from Concordia College to McGill on Monday afternoon.
The group has been calling for McGill to finish its investments in firms tied to the Israeli navy and reduce ties with Israeli establishments.
A vigil organized by Jewish teams can be deliberate Monday afternoon on the principal gates of McGill’s downtown campus.
McGill is proscribing entry to its campuses on Monday, and plenty of courses will probably be held on-line.
A Quebec Superior Courtroom decide has additionally granted a short lived injunction in opposition to among the teams, ordering them to not block entry to Concordia or to disrupt any courses.
Montreal police and different regulation enforcement businesses throughout Canada have mentioned they’re growing their presence forward of Oct. 7.
Vancouver Police Chief Const. Adam Palmer says deliberate and unplanned protests throughout town are posing a “important” danger of dysfunction, and officers skilled particularly for large-scale occasions are being deployed.
Professional-Palestinian group Samidoun, which is referring to the Oct. 7 assaults as “Al-Aqsa Flood,” the Hamas code identify for the operation, is planning a rally in Vancouver.
Toronto police say there have been greater than 1,500 demonstrations throughout town since final October, with 72 protest-related arrests, and to this point there have been 350 stories of hate crimes this 12 months, which the chief says is a 40 per cent improve from final 12 months. Alleged hate crimes in opposition to town’s Jewish residents have surged 69 per cent, he added.
Rallies and protests have been held world wide within the weekend main as much as Oct. 7, together with large occasions in European cities and marches and vigils in Canada.
Whereas in Paris on Saturday for a Francophonie summit, Trudeau reiterated requires a ceasefire within the Center East.
Israel has additionally lately been going after a number of Hezbollah targets in suburban Beirut in Lebanon and commenced a floor incursion. An airstrike hit a Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon as Israel focused each Hezbollah and Hamas fighters.
Iran, which helps arm and finance each Hamas and Hezbollah, launched a minimum of 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Oct. 7, 2024.
