‘We are overwhelmed and heartbroken’

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This article was published 07/10/2024 (389 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Politicians and leaders called on Manitobans to denounce antisemitism and pray for peace at a rally Monday as the world marked one year of bloody conflict in the Middle East.

About 1,500 people gathered at the Asper Jewish Community Campus to remember Israelis killed during the Hamas-led attack in Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza.

Jewish leaders, politicians and community members participated in a Walk for Israel on the Winnipeg campus to commemorate the year since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.

“We are overwhelmed and heartbroken today,” said Gustavo Zentner, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs vice-president for Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

“The people here today signals to the Jewish community that we’re not alone, and that the community at large understands that fighting antisemitism is a job for every single Manitoban.”

Hundreds carrying miniature Israel and Canada flags and large Israeli flags draped over their shoulders walked down Doncaster Street toward Corydon Avenue before looping around back to the campus. Attendees walking were handed black and yellow ribbons with names of victims printed on them to fasten to the campus’s fence as a memorial.

Joanne Moore attended the walk to pay her respects to the Jewish community. She attends classes at the Rady Jewish Community Campus six times per week.

“I couldn’t decide whether to come today or not, but then suddenly it hit me they’re there for me every day. I need to be there for them,” she said.

Multiple unmarked police cars monitored the event and drones flew over the crowd.

The Winnipeg Police Service said officers would be monitoring the gathering, as well as one planned at the same time by the city’s Palestinian community.

Premier Wab Kinew, Mayor Scott Gillingham and Winnipeg MPs Ben Carr and Marty Morantz were among the politicians in attendance.

“I want to say that our presence here is a sign of support. And specifically, I want to say that it is important to show up for the Manitoba Jewish community at this time and to be a visible ally and friend” Kinew told the crowd.

The premier denounced antisemitism, which has flared over the last year.

“Israel has a right to exist, Israel has a right to defend itself, the hostages should be released immediately and … Israelis and Palestinians alike deserve to live in security, dignity and peace,” he said.

Meanwhile, about 50 people attended a “World Awakening Day” vigil at the steps of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Advertising for the event described Israel as a terrorist state and said Oct. 7 is the “day that the entire world woke up.”

The crowd gathered to remember Palestinians killed on the Gaza strip. A scroll with the names of victims laid prominently in front of the museum during the vigil.

Ramsey Zeid, president of the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba, told the Free Press Monday’s event was to remember the lives lost during the past year and in 76 previous years of conflict between Palestinians and Jews.

Zentner said to use Oct. 7 for any other political messaging is “a grievous and unconscionable failure of moral integrity.”

“To see that Oct. 7 is being used as a political proxy or as a statement, other than coming together as human beings, is a reflection of absolute lack of morals and values, and that is something that the entire province and the entire country should stand up against,” Zentner said.

Since the events of Oct. 7, nearly 1,200 people in Israel have been killed and 5,400 injured, according to data compiled by the United Nations.

Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, has said more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 96,000 have been wounded in Israel’s military offensive.

nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca