Winnipeg’s Jewish, Palestinian communities hold weekend rallies as Gaza war widens | CBC News

Winnipeggers representing both sides caught up in the bloody war in Gaza rallied in Winnipeg over the weekend.

On Sunday, members of Winnipeg’s Jewish community and supporters of Israel held a rally to call for the return of more than 100 hostages taken hostage when Hamas fighters from Gaza breached Israel’s defences and went into nearby towns, gunning down civilians and soldiers in a surprise attack three weeks ago. 

Winnipeg’s Palestinian community held a rally Saturday that was attended by hundreds of people.

About 60 people attended Sunday’s rally at The Canadian Museum for Human Rights, where a moment of silence was held, signs were put up and strollers labelled with the names of children who are believed to have been kidnapped by Hamas militants were parked. 

“The goal of this gathering is just to raise public awareness and not create division,” Kelly Sullivan-Hofer, who came to Sunday’s rally representing Bridges for Peace, a Christian organization that supports Israel.

In addition to the hostages taken, more than 1,400 Israelis were killed in the Oct. 7 attack. 

The Jewish rally was originally supposed to be on Saturday at the same time as a pro-Palestinian rally, but was moved to Sunday. 

“We feel that our counter protests have served their purpose and now we’re moving to the second stage, which is to raise awareness about the kidnapped children, adults and people who are over the age of 75,” said Ron East, the organizer of Sunday’s rally. 

Winnipeg police said on Oct. 26 that while they weren’t telling people not to hold rallies, they were asking people to avoid holding counter-protests at demonstrations. 

Police also said last week they’ve seen an escalation in suspected hate-motivated crimes as the deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to tensions at home. 

Pro-Palestinian rally held Saturday

Winnipeg’s Palestinian community held a rally Saturday that was attended by hundreds of people. 

The contingent of community members marched from Memorial Park, across from the legislature, then toward Portage and Main. 

Selena Zeid, who has family living in the West Bank, denounced the violence and said she wants to see a ceasefire in the region. 

“We need change,” Zeid said. “Everyone should be opening their eyes, speaking up about what’s going on.” 

Gaza’s Health Ministry said Saturday the death toll among Palestinians has passed 8,000, with more the number expected to rise on both sides as Israel presses its ground offensive. About 1,700 people remain trapped beneath the rubble, according to the Health Ministry, which has said it bases its estimates on distress calls it received.

Candice Bodnaruk, a member of Peace Alliance Winnipeg, added those in attendance at Saturday’s event stand against hate as tensions grow. 

“We oppose all hate, antisemitism, xenophobia, Islamophobia,” said Bodnaruk. “There’s no place for that in this movement.”