A rally aimed at supporting hostages taken by Hamas and the Jewish community in Israel and Canada was held at Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Dec. 4, 2023. (Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times)
By Andrew Chen
A rally with thousands of people gathered at Parliament Hill on Dec. 4 urged the safe return of hostages held by Hamas following the terrorist group’s attack on Israel in October. Some participants also condemned recent threats and attacks on Canadian Jewish communities.
Led by advocacy groups The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and the Jewish Federations of Canada, the event aimed to unite and rally for hostages taken by Hamas, the people of Israel, and the safety of Jewish Canadians, according to a statement posted on the platform X.
The event drew an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 attendees. Participants displayed both Canadian and Israeli flags, with some holding signs with words such as “Free the hostages” and “Bring them home.”
Thousands of people participated in a rally aimed at supporting hostages taken by Hamas and the Jewish community in Israel and Canada was held at Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Dec. 4, 2023. (Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times)
Karina Roskies, a resident from Montreal, said she joined the rally to show that “we’re not afraid and we’re unified.”
“We want to bring our hostages home, rallying for the rest of the world to understand,” she told The Epoch Times. “What we are doing is praying for everybody. We are against the evil in the world.”
Rising Threats Against Jewish-Canadians
The rally came weeks after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel by land, air, and sea on Oct. 7, with hundreds of terrorists raiding civilian homes, killing at least 1,200 people and taking hundreds hostages. The conflict has so far claimed eight Canadian lives. In response, Israeli forces conducted a seven-week bombardment of the Gaza region, where Hamas is based.
Speaking at the rally, Liberal MP Anthony Housefather said he had recently travelled to Israel to bear witness to the Israel-Hamas war.
“We heard from survivors: stories of rape, torture, and murder. We met with families of Canadians who were massacred and with families of the hostages,” he said during the rally.
“We did this so that we could bear witness. We did this so that we can confirm to everyone that a pogrom happened in Israel on October 7th—except that, instead of Cossacks, this pogrom was carried out by the terrorist group Hamas. We did this so that we could better explain to all Canadians why the destruction of Hamas is not only in the best interest of Israel but also the Palestinian people of Canada and of the world.”
People holding signs with illustrations of children and the words “Set them free” were seen at a rally aimed at supporting hostages taken by Hamas and the Jewish community in Israel and Canada. The rally took place at Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Dec. 4, 2023. (Annie Wu/NTD Television)
Mr. Housefather also expressed his frustration with growing anti-Semitism observed in countries—including Canada, the United States, and various European nations—following Israel’s military action against Hamas.
“The last two weeks have left me very angry: angry that as soon as Hamas murdered Israelis, people started making justifications,” he said. “Angry that after the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, there has been an upsurge in Jew hate across the world, including in our own country.”
Multiple attacks and threats have targeted Jewish communities in Canada. Incidents include the firebombing of a synagogue and a Jewish community centre on Nov. 7. Subsequently, two Jewish schools in Montreal were hit by gunshots on Nov. 9, while on Nov. 17, a Toronto private Jewish high school and a nearby daycare were evacuated following a reported bomb threat. These incidents did not result in injuries.
Melissa Lantsman, deputy leader of the Conservative Party, also raised concerns about the recent unlawful activities in Canada.
“It was easy to be pro-Israel when this [conflict] first happened and it’s much harder now,” she said. “This isn’t over until the 137 hostages come home. It is not over until the boycott of Jewish businesses, the targeting of Jewish schools, the shootings, and the firebombings of synagogues—it is not over until those who commit those crimes are behind bars.”
Brian Dias, a property manager who took part in the Ottawa rally, called for peace in Canada and urged the government to ensure the well-being of the people.
“We all are Canadians; we all live together. We share this place together, so we can’t be against each other. We’re here to support each other,” he said.
Several MPs from both the Liberal and Conservative parties were also present at the rally, including Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino; Liberal MPs Carolyn Bennett and Ya’ara Saks; Conservative MPs Michelle Rempel Garner and Marty Morantz; along with Independent MP Kevin Vuong.