‘Innocent people are dying’: Manitobans mark one-year anniversary of Israel-Hamas war

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This article was published 05/10/2024 (426 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitobans with family or friends in a war-stricken region of the Middle East are praying for their safety, while they mark Monday’s one-year anniversary of the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Rallies, marches and vigils are being held in Winnipeg under a heightened police presence, while deaths mount and people continue to flee cities or villages that are being bombarded with missiles.

“The situation there is unbearable. Everything is so bad,” Bisan Dasuki, who has family members in Gaza, said at a pro-Palestinian rally and march at the legislature Saturday.

Dasuki said her relatives in Gaza are trying to reassure family in Canada they are OK, despite the devastation in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory.

“They don’t sound OK,” said Dasuki, noting her overriding emotion is anger when she thinks about what her loved ones and other Palestinians are going through. “I hope for a free Palestine.”

Businessman and philanthropist Abdo El Tassi, who was born in Kherbet Rouha, Lebanon, spoke to family in his native country before attending the rally.

A town about three kilometres from his home town was bombed hours earlier, he said.

“They’re scared. There is no place to escape,” El Tassi said of his relatives in Lebanon. “We’re all concerned with what’s happening in Lebanon at the moment. Innocent people are dying for no reason. We want a ceasefire. That’s all we want right now.”

Hundreds of people attended the rally, which was followed by a march to Portage Avenue and Main Street with a police escort.

Standing in front of a giant Palestinian flag draped across the legislature’s steps, speakers condemned Israel’s military offensive and accused the country’s leaders of genocide, while mourning the Palestinians who’ve been killed.

“We demand a ceasefire,” speaker Ramsey Zeid, president of the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba, told the Free Press before the event. “This is not a war. This is an Israeli government attacking innocent civilians.”

Demonstrators called on the Canadian government to put pressure on Israel to bring an end to the war.

Local Jewish organizations are holding a walk and solidarity rally in support of Israel and Manitoba’s Jewish community Monday night. Police will also be present at that event.

Participants will remember the Israeli people who’ve been killed and pray for those who are still held hostage.

“Most Jewish Winnipeggers have family and friends in Israel,” said Jeff Lieberman, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg. “They fear for the lives of their family and friends.”

The war began after Gaza-based militant group Hamas and other armed groups launched a cross-border attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel responded with military action that continues. The conflict has widened to Lebanon and Iran.

“The events of Oct. 7 were horrific and shocking to Israelis and Jews across the world, and certainly Jews in Winnipeg,” said Lieberman. “This all happened because of the Hamas terror attack.”

Israel needs to be able to defend itself following the attack and a failed ceasefire, he said. Israel and Hamas blamed each other for violating the agreement that was made in November.

Israel said almost 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage a year ago Monday. The dead included former Winnipeg resident Vivian Silver, who moved to Israel in 1974. She was a co-founder of Women Wage Peace, while advocating for an end to Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel has said about 100 hostages remain in Gaza, with many believed to be dead.

Gaza’s health ministry has said more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 96,000 wounded in Israel’s military offensive.

Israeli and Hamas leaders are being investigated for alleged war crimes.

The conflict escalated when Israel’s military invaded Lebanon Oct. 1, after an exchange of air strikes with Beirut-based militant group Hezbollah. Israel has vowed to respond to a recent missile attack by Iran.

The anniversary of the start of the war coincides with Judaism’s High Holy Days, the 10-day period spanning Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.

The Winnipeg Police Service is increasing its patrols or presence at various sites during the Jewish High Holidays and demonstrations or gatherings.

“Members will focus their attention on places of worship and gathering places during their regular duties, with officers dedicated to this task at times where large gatherings are expected,” a police news release said.

“With the increase in hate-related incidents, both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic, we are working with community leaders to help everyone feel safe.”

Lieberman said incidents of hate have left people in the Jewish community feeling unsafe.

“Our community has really struggled for the past year with what’s been going on around the world and what’s been going on in Winnipeg,” he said.

Winnipeg police commended demonstration organizers “for finding the balance between gathering to highlight their concerns while refraining from conducting counter-protests” over the last 12 months.

The balance has minimized the need for significant numbers of officers to be on hand.

“The Winnipeg Police Service respects the right to freedom of expression and lawful assembly,” the news release said.

“The expectation is that citizens will behave peacefully and respectfully. Police must balance the rights of individuals to gather with the need to ensure public safety and keep the peace.”

A record number of protests this year has put a strain on police resources. As of Sept. 12, Winnipeg police attended 415 protests in 2024, up from 299 last year.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca