Thousands of people gathered on Parliament Hill on Dec. 4 to urge the safe return of hostages held by Hamas following the terrorist group’s attack on Israel in October. Some participants also condemned recent attacks on Canadian Jewish communities.
Titled “Canada’s Rally for the Jewish People,” the event drew an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people, who displayed Canadian and Israeli flags, with some holding signs with words such as “Free the hostages” and “Bring them home.”
Karina Roskies, a resident of Montreal, said she participated in 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
On Oct. 7, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel by land, air, and sea 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.
“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.
“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.”
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.”
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 in a speech. “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 attended 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 Leader Pierre Poilievre, Conservative MPs Michelle Rempel Garner and Marty Morantz, and Independent MP Kevin Vuong.
