Standing strong and united in the face of terror

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/10/2023 (737 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In the wake of the recent horrifying acts of terrorism that unfolded in Israel, Winnipeg’s Jewish community, and communities around the world, we find ourselves grappling with a whirlwind of emotions — disbelief, sadness and anger.

The impact of this tragedy cannot be overstated.

Innocent lives were lost, families shattered, and communities left in absolute devastation.

As of the latest updates, the toll of lives lost in Israel has exceeded 1,300, with another 3,300 injured. The fate of 300 kidnapped individuals remains uncertain.

One of those individuals is a Winnipegger, Vivian Silver, a peace activist who devoted her life to bridge-building and peace between Israel and the Palestinian people. These events represent Israel’s 9/11 and will leave scars that will never fully heal. More Jews were killed in these attacks than in any single day since the Holocaust.

People of good faith may legitimately disagree on how to reconcile the legitimate rights and aspirations of those living in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.

However, no decent person can defend Hamas’s targeting of innocent civilians, including women and children.

Hamas’s actions demonstrate a twisted ideology that thrives on fear, suffering and death — an ideology calculated to set back the cause of peace and justice for people living in the region. It is an ideology that places no value on the lives of civilians in Gaza or Israel.

It is for that reason that the international community must unequivocally and universally condemn such acts of terror and stand in solidarity with Israel as it grapples with these tragic losses.

We are comforted by and grateful for the outpouring of support from Winnipeg community groups, churches, neighbours, businesses and leaders of varied backgrounds.

Our community in Winnipeg, diverse and harmonious, stands as a testament to the potential for understanding and coexistence among people from various backgrounds and beliefs. Our strength as Winnipeggers lies in our unity, where our differences are celebrated through our multicultural beauty, not turned into sources of conflict.

It is imperative that the conflict taking place in Israel does not find its way into the streets of Winnipeg.

We find hope in the response from our Canadian leaders and elected officials, for their resolute condemnation of Hamas, and their unwavering support for Israel. The lowering of flags to half-mast and the illumination of buildings in blue and white throughout our city are powerful symbols of solidarity and empathy.

Let us remain steadfast in the face of this brutal war instigated by Hamas terrorists who are determined to inflict pain and suffering upon innocent Israeli civilians to further their objective of eradicating the state of Israel and the Jewish people who live there.

Despite their intentions, they will not prevail.

Our prayers are with the safety of every Israeli and for each precious life that is lost in the chaos and violence that Hamas has brought upon the region. We extend our prayers to the courageous soldiers who at this very moment are defending Israel’s right to exist and fighting for their lives.

May the memory of every innocent life lost be a blessing and a reminder of our shared duty to stand united against terror, wherever it occurs.

We stand firm in advocating for human rights, dignity and the sanctity of human lives, for these are values jointly shared in a bond between Canadians and the people of Israel.

Gustavo Zentner is the president of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg.