In response to a call for a “Day of Rage,” by a leader of Hamas, the Okanagan Jewish Community has said that locally, they are at peace with the Muslim community, and urge people not to act with violence.
“The statement is intended as a pre-emptive attempt to thwart anyone who might be considering a violent act against us or against our friends in the Muslim community,” said Abbey Westbury, a leader within the Okanagan Jewish Community.
On Oct. 7, an organization called Hamas, which Canada considers to be an Islamic a terrorist group, sent in rockets and soldiers into Israel from the Gaza Strip. Thousands of Israelis, who were celebrating a Jewish holiday, were killed, injured and taken as hostages.
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Israel has since launched airstrikes against Hamas in Gaza in retaliation, and has cut off access to water and power for thousands of innocent Palestinians living in Gaza in what its officials describe as a total siege. The UN warned that this violates international humanitarian law, since is blocks access to the essentials of life.
The most recent reports state that the war has claimed at least 2,800 lives on both sides of the conflict.
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On Oct. 13, a leader of Hamas released a statement calling for a ‘Day of Rage.’
The RCMP said that it is aware of threats against the Jewish community in Canada. The police have said that they are acting with “increased vigilance.”
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Westbury said that she fears for the safety of the Jewish and the Muslim communities in the Okanagan and around the world after hearing the statement made by the leader of Hamas.
She said here that in the Okanagan, Jewish and Muslim people live in harmony.
“The vibrant local Jewish and Muslim communities have long maintained a healthy and mutually supportive relationship. Our cultures enrich one another: from interfaith open houses to joint events, we have actively tried to foster empathy and to find common ground. We interact, learn, worship, and coexist peaceably. As Canadians, we inherently know the importance of open hearts and open arms: we come from diverse backgrounds, yet we share an atmosphere of trust and respect. There is no place in our beautiful region for hateful acts.”
Black Press has also reached out to the Islamic community and has not yet received a statement.
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– With files from the Associated Press and the Canadian Press
