Am Yisroel Chai – We stand in solidarity with the people of Israel!

On Monday, October 9, 2023, that message was repeated loudly and many times by an estimated 15,000 Canadians – Jews from all walks of life and from every part of the community, as well as from political allies from all levels of government and all political parties at an Emergency Rally for the People of Israel at Mel Lastman Square.

Despite a cool evening, which eventually gave way to a light rain shower, Jews stood shoulder to shoulder draped in and carrying Canadian and Israeli flags as they listened to representatives from the Jewish community and political leaders who proclaimed their unequivocal support for the State of Israel?

Before the speeches began, Israelis thanked Torontonians in an emotional video tribute. Jews on the front lines of this horror spoke of what started 48 hours earlier and what they were going through. In turn, they expressed their solidarity with Canada and its Jewish community.

The only disappointing part of the evening was the level of verbal abuse directly at Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, who was introduced by Councillor James Pasternak.

The heckling continued as the newly elected mayor began her remarks, even though she condemned the attack against innocents and said that Toronto stands in solidarity with Israel.

“We must not let hate divide us,” said Chow, attempting to drown out her opponents. “Let me be clear, I unequivocally condemn the attacks in the strongest possible terms.”

I unequivocally condemn Hamas’ horrific terrorist attacks on Israel. I mourn the loss of all innocent civilians, both Israeli and Palestinians. My thoughts are with Torontonians who have loved ones who may be in danger. pic.twitter.com/kMbUc8Z3U2

— Mayor Olivia Chow (@MayorOliviaChow) October 8, 2023

My message in Toronto this evening: Canada’s support for Israel is steadfast—and we stand with those who are mourning the loss of so many lives following Hamas’ barbaric terrorist attacks. pic.twitter.com/LaMluDZsn7

— Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) October 10, 2023

“We’re here as Canadians to speak with one voice,” said Freeland, Canada’s finance minister, calling for a minute of silence for all who had been killed and kidnapped. “Canada stands with Israel unequivocally; we stand in solidarity with Israel. We call for the hostages to be released immediately. The glorification of terror has no place in Canada.” ?

Freeland introduced York Centre MP Ya’ara Saks to address the gathering before Ontario Premier Doug Ford was resoundingly welcomed to the podium. Ford denounced the hate rallies taking place in Ontario and around the world as “disgusting.” He said they have no place in Ontario and Canada.

Also addressing the evening was federal Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman, who proclaimed her party’s support for Israel and condemned brutal atrocities committed by Hamas in what has become the largest one-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

“Extremist bullies must be confronted,” said Lantsman, MP for Thornhill. “For all the misery, murder, and chaos across Israel and Gaza, Hamas is responsible. Each time there is a terror attack on Israeli soil, it should shake every person to their very core.”

Lantsman also denounced those in our country who supported the terrorist attacks against innocent civilians.

“Together, we will fight this battle, Israel will win this war, and we will emerge from this stronger.”

The Jewish community was also joined by Canadians of other nationalities, including Azerbaijani and Iranian Canadians, who proudly waved their flags and signs proclaiming their support for the Jewish community and Israel.

- Jeff Rosen

B’nai Brith Canada is deeply concerned after discovering a flag bearing the emblem of the Hamas terrorist organization at a demonstration celebrating the unprecedented wave of terrorism in Israel.

Over the long weekend, rallies occurred in most major Canadian cities, notably Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver. These events, billed as promoting peace, did anything but. Attendees passed around candy and baked goods to honour Hamas’ “sweet” victory – the butchering, mutilating, and kidnapping of the innocent civilians of the world’s only Jewish State. Within the past 48 hours, the death toll from the ongoing attack has exceeded 900, with thousands more injured. At least 100 civilians, including children and teenage girls, have been abducted to Gaza.

Participants at these hateful pro-Hamas rallies chanted “Free Palestine… from the River to the Sea,” a dangerous slogan commonly understood as a call for the ethnic cleansing of Jews and dismantling of the Jewish State. In Toronto, participants also yelled in Arabic, “Khaybar, Khaybar, oh Jews, the army of Mohammed will return!” – a popular antisemitic chant used to incite extremists – and called upon the Qassam Brigade, the armed wing of Hamas, to carry out attacks in Israel.

Hamas is a listed terrorist entity in Canada. Founded in 1987, the group is a murderous Palestinian faction whose charter explicitly calls for its followers worldwide to kill Jews. It rejects all attempts to establish peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians.

During this latest terror attack, Hamas posted videos to social media where they brutally murder Israeli children, glorify sexual violence against Israeli women, and kidnap survivors of the Holocaust.

“This is exactly why B’nai Brith called on police across the country to pre-emptively shut down these pro-terror rallies,” said Michael Mostyn, B’nai Brith Canada’s Chief Executive Officer. “The celebration of depraved acts of terror on Canadian streets must be unequivocally condemned and immediately stopped.”