‘Hearts in our throats’: Conflicts in the Middle East affect communities in Manitoba – Winnipeg
While conflicts continue to escalate in the Middle East, Manitoba communities closest to the region say they are holding their breath.
“This worries us a lot for obvious reasons. First, there is a possibility of war,” said Arian Arianpour, president of the Iranian Community of Manitoba.
Ruth Ashrafi, regional director of B’Nai Brith of Manitoba echoed Arianpour’s concerns. “We all have our hearts in our throats… We are very worried, and our community here is also very worried.”
On Tuesday night, nearly a year after Hamas attacked Israel, the world watched as Iran fired a series of missiles against the nation.
Bryan Peeler, a political scientist, said this could lead to a difficult future.
“The escalation of the conflict is possible. “I mean, the Israeli government said, you know, like yesterday, Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran has made a big mistake and they will pay for it,” Peeler said.
But, overall, “we don’t know what’s going to happen here.”
Ashrafi and Arianpour say the communities they represent are feeling a deep sense of uncertainty, as their loved ones try to survive amid the snowballing violence.
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“Iranian Canadians living in Canada, or scattered around the world, often have family or friends in Iran,” Arianpour said.
“We are concerned about our welfare. We are concerned about the terrible pressure they are facing,” Ashrafi added. “Last week, my friends became the grandparents of a baby boy. And the circumcision ceremony, which is usually a big party… was held in a bomb shelter.”
Peeler said it was unclear what other influence Iran could have in the conflict, and noted that the Lebanon-based terrorist group involved in the fighting may be weakened as its military leadership declines.
But uncertainty still hangs over the Middle East, and it may be up to other countries to change that, he said.
“The United States has called for a cease-fire in the past few months… The UK, France, Canada, other countries have been calling for a cease-fire, and this does not seem to stop the Netanyahu government,” he said.
“Some countries have stopped supplying certain weapons to Israel because of what happened. But the Americans really have the leverage here, and they don’t seem willing to use it, and the Israeli government doesn’t seem willing to listen to the Americans. This increases the threat of escalation in the region.”
In all, the Israeli and Iranian communities are asking not to be involved in the actions of any government, and are fighting for a solution.
“This is not a war for the Iranian people. This is very important to understand that this is a war – if it happens – that the regime of the Islamic Republic imposes on the region. It is important to distinguish between the Iranian people (and their government),” Arianpour said.
“We would like to see a region where everyone can live in peace and understand each other.”
Ashrafi said remember that the conflict affects all the people affected by the conflict.
“People with families in Israel are suffering, and people with families in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank are also suffering. We have to keep that in mind, and we have to be aware of that and empathize,” he said.
“My hope is for a peaceful Middle East.”
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