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Okanagan Jewish Community speaks out after Hamas statement

91ƵOur cultures enrich one another,91Ƶ said Okanagan Jewish organization on relationship with Muslim neighbours
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An Israeli soldier walks by a house destroyed by Hamas militants in Kibbutz Be91Ƶeri on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. The kibbutz was overrun by Hamas militants from Neraby Gaza Strip Saturday when they killed and captured many Israelis. (AP Photo/Baz Ratner) An Israeli soldier walks by a house destroyed by Hamas militants in Kibbutz Be91Ƶeri on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. The kibbutz was overrun by Hamas militants from Neraby Gaza Strip Saturday when they killed and captured many Israelis. (AP Photo/Baz Ratner)

In response to a call for a 91ƵDay of Rage,91Ƶ 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.

91ƵThe 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,91Ƶ 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.

READ MORE: B.C. man among hundreds killed at music festival in Israel

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 91ƵDay of Rage.91Ƶ

The RCMP said that it is aware of threats against the Jewish community in Canada. The police have said that they are acting with 91Ƶincreased vigilance.91Ƶ

READ MORE: Vancouver police up vigilance in response to violence in Israel

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.

91ƵThe 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.91Ƶ

Black Press has also reached out to the Islamic community and has not yet received a statement.

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READ MORE: Palestinians flee northern Gaza after Israel orders 1 million to evacuate as ground attack looms

READ MORE: Blinken vows US support for Israel ahead of possible ground operation as strikes pound Gaza

91Ƶ With files from the Associated Press and the Canadian Press



Jacqueline Gelineau

About the Author: Jacqueline Gelineau

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