Jews, Palestinians in Alberta call for peace on day 1 of Hamas attack on Israel
In the one year since the Hamas attack on Israel that started the ongoing conflict in Gaza, events and protests have taken place across Canada, including in Edmonton and Calgary.
“No one wants this, right?” said Irfan Chaudhry, a hate crime researcher at MacEwan University and founder of Stop Hate AB.
The conflict has had far-reaching consequences around the world and in Canada, including families grieving for their slain relatives, hundreds of protests that have led to arrests, the establishment of pro-Palestinian camps at universities and increased reports of hate crimes against Jews and Muslims.
Chaudhry said that regardless of people’s origin or religion, peace is desired by both sides. While the conflict is happening on the other side of the world, people across Canada are being affected.
“If you have families connected to them, they reveal the reality of the situation in what they see. And then we as users of what we see on the Internet, we also live in a satisfactory way in that trauma,” he said.
The conflict has created unique challenges for universities, which navigate the line between free speech and the safety and well-being of all campus members as protests and encampments have led to police involvement, as was the case in Edmonton and Calgary back in May.
“The University of Calgary has invested in maintaining a safe environment while supporting the expression of ideas – and we will continue to do so. We continue to focus on consistently implementing policies to preserve freedom of expression and ensure a safe environment for all,” said a statement issued by the institution on campus.
On Monday in Edmonton, about 100 pro-Palestine students at Queen Elizabeth High School in north Edmonton held a peaceful walkout and protest.
“We came to show our solidarity with Palestine and we are here to tell everyone that as students, we will not be oppressed by other students anywhere in the world,” said Mohammad Qasqas, a Grade 12 student at the high school.
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Activist Moussa Qasqas said many in the Palestinian community feel disappointed.
“By our governments, by academics, by the media – we don’t feel like our narrative is being told well,” she said. “Oct. 7 was just another day and people acted like it happened out of a vacuum. We are not talking about a job that has been going on for 76 years.”
The attack on October 7, 2023 killed more than 1,200 Israelis, and 250 others were captured and held hostage, which started the war with Israel in Gaza where the Ministry of Health says it has left more than 41,000 dead.
David Wallach of Calgary was born in Israel but has lived in Canada all his life. A holiday back home last year turned into a nightmare.
“We arrived in Israel on October 5 last year and on October 7. My wife and I woke up in our hotel in Tel Aviv to three explosions,” Wallach said.
He and his wife were left to volunteer in the damage before they were taken to a safe place.
In Gaza, Canadian-Palestinian Marwan Diab had returned to his home in Canada that month, helping his son enroll in university.
He was able to leave in November last year but returned in May to help other family members escape. They arrived in Calgary on Friday.
“They have seen many bad days of their attacks. There is no security. You name it. Destruction everywhere. Seeing dead bodies everywhere,” said Diab.
“It hurt them a lot.”
Diab is providing housing for his extended family and is working to help remove about 30 other family members from harm’s way.
Canadian census data from 2021 shows that there are approximately 14,400 people of Jewish descent in Alberta, and approximately 4,425 people of Palestinian descent.
Stacey Leavitt-Wright, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, said it was an emotional and raw day.
“I think that for many in the Jewish community, they feel alone this year. We are a small community. This is a very complex world arena. Israel is facing a war on seven fronts right now. So it’s not something that can be done lightly,” Leavitt-Wright said.
“People feel that they are being attacked just like Israel is being attacked.”
He added that it is difficult to mark the day when the conflict is over.
In one year, police in major Canadian cities have stepped up security, especially at Jewish and Muslim places of worship and at events held to commemorate Oct. 7.
Jewish groups across the country held events to mourn the victims of the attack and demand the return of the kidnappers. Edmonton’s event takes place at Beth Israel Synagogue, while Calgary’s event is at Beth Tzedec Congregation on Glenmore Trail.
Rallies and demonstrations were held around the world the weekend before October 7, including major events in European cities and marches and vigils in Canada.
With files from Allison Jones, The Canadian Press
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