Israel supporters rally at Asper Jewish Community Campus

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This article was published 11/10/2023 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

AS silence fell over the crowd outside Winnipeg’s Asper Jewish Community Campus, mourners raised blue and white flags bearing the Star of David to commemorate the Israelis who have been killed in recent days and show solidarity with their homeland.

“Tonight, we stand united in the face of terror,” said Gustavo Zentner, president of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, the collective that invited community members to rally together Tuesday amid an eruption of violence in the Middle East.

“We stand on the side of human rights, of life, of dignity. Hamas has revealed its true heart of darkness — its reach for death, destruction, and to create despair.”

The Winnipeg Police Service’s helicopter circled above as emotional participants, many of them carrying and wearing Israeli flags, gathered in the Old Tuxedo parking lot around dusk. A uniformed officer estimated about 2,000 people showed up to the event.

Over the weekend, Palestinian militants of Hamas — an Islamic group that controls the Gaza Strip, and which Canada deems a terrorist group — launched a wide-scale attack on Israel.

Armed gunmen crossed the border to both kill and capture civilians en masse. The Israeli government declared war in response.

The death toll, with hundreds of fatalities on both sides, was estimated to be roughly 2,000 by the time Tuesday’s evening event got underway.

Following an emotional speech, during which Zentner called more than a dozen representatives from local Jewish-run organizations on stage, he asked Israeli-Canadians and allies to take part in a moment of silence.

“The event has been compared to Israel’s own 911 — its own Pearl Harbour. More Jews were killed in these attacks than in any single day since the Holocaust. Let us honour the memories of more than 900 lives brutally taken, over 2,100 injured and the approximately 130 civilians and soldiers (being held hostage),” he told the crowd.

Winnipeg-born Vivian Silver, who was living in a Jewish community bordering the Gaza Strip and engaging in humanitarian work, is among those in captivity, Zentner noted. “This hits too close to home.”

One day earlier, Palestinian supporters gathered at Winnipeg City Hall under a Peace Alliance Winnipeg banner to advocate for freedom in the impoverished strip of Gaza. Counter-protesters condemned the gathering as insensitive, citing the horrific bloodshed perpetrated by Hamas.

Outgoing premier Heather Stefanson and premier-designate Wab Kinew both offered condolences and made statements in support of Israel’s independence.

Also during the rally, Ben Carr, Liberal MP for Winnipeg South Centre, told the crowd Ottawa is committed to working “tirelessly” to bring residents home from the Middle East.

“It’s terrible this had to happen in order for Jewish people and Israeli people in general to get the world’s attention to see what’s happening over there,” said Israeli-Canadian Emily Salnik.

The 20-year-old said it has long been commonplace for Israelis, especially those living in the southern region, to hide in shelters for their safety. The ongoing violence is what prompted her family to move to Winnipeg seven years ago, she said, adding many of her loved ones remain in Israel.

Rally attendee Sergey Bykov said he has felt helpless and, at times, guilty watching the events unfold in his home country.

The Jerusalem native said he reached out to his former military commander to ask him whether the army needed his expertise as a former soldier. Bykov added he is on standby.

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“I’m ready, always, to go protect my country.”

Global Affairs Canada confirmed one Canadian is dead and there are “reports of a second death, as well as three other Canadians who are reported missing.”

Upwards of 3,234 Canadians are registered as abroad in Israel and 478 citizens are in Palestinian territories, per the federal department.

— with files from Tyler Searle

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Maggie Macintosh
Education reporter

Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie.

Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative.

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