Saturday October 7, 2023 | VICTORIA, BC [Updated October 8, 2023]
News commentary by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Late last night the first news broke about attacks by Hamas into Israel… not just the rockets that the civilians have become used to over the past few decades (most of which are dispersed by the so-called ‘iron dome’), but into the country and evidently taking hostages. Reportedly grenades were dropped from drones and there were attacks via the sea.
CNN carried the news first on late Friday night, and then in Canada CBC and CTV caught up early this morning.
This violent conflict comes on the 50th anniversary of a similar attack in 1973, and on a day when most of the country was taking time off for religious holidays. The Palestinian group called Hamas (considered terrorists) seem to have taken advantage of the pause of alert.
Israel is saying the situation is war.
According to CNN around 9 am October 7:
Militants launched about 2,200 rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel, according to the Israeli military, while armed gunmen infiltrated into Israel by land, sea and air – in paragliders. Multiple explosions were heard over Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and in southern Israel – some blasts likely the interceptions of incoming rockets – while air raids sent Israelis pouring into underground shelters.
The Israeli military said Hamas had taken “hostages and prisoners of war” but did not give a figure.
Response in Canada:
As posted in social media on this Thanksgiving weekend in Canada, commentary has come from all levels of government and through the community.
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: “Canada strongly condemns the current terrorist attacks against Israel. These acts of violence are completely unacceptable. We stand with Israel and fully support its right to defend itself. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this. Civilian life must be protected.”
- Readout posted on the PMO’s website (October 8, 2023): “Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened the Incident Response Group with ministers and senior officials to discuss Hamas’ attacks on Israel. The Prime Minister unequivocally condemned Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel and expressed Canada’s full support for Israel’s right to defend itself. The Prime Minister and ministers considered the latest developments, their concern for the loss of civilian life, and Canada’s close engagement with partners and allies in the international community.”
- “To honour those whose lives have been cut short by Hamas’ terror attacks against Israel, we’re lighting the Peace Tower in blue and white – and we’ve lowered the flags on the Peace Tower, at the Prime Minister’s Office, and across Parliament Hill. Canada stands with Israel.” (Posted in social media, October 8, 2023)
- Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre: “I unequivocally condemn the invasion of Israel by Hamas terrorists and the sadistic violence they have subsequently carried out against innocent civilians. Israel has the right to defend itself against these attacks and respond against the attackers. Canadians pledge their solidarity with all the victims.”
- NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh: “I strongly condemn these horrifying attacks by Hamas on Israel. Civilians should never be targeted and all hostages must be released immediately. We fear what the coming days will bring. Terrorism and violence solve nothing.”
- BC Premier David Eby: Acts of violence against civilians are profoundly troubling and should be unequivocally denounced. My heart is with the victims of these acts of violence in Israel and Palestine. I fear for what lies ahead. BC Greens wish for the safety and security of the people in the region.
- BC Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth: “Both RCMP and Municipal police are monitoring the situation in Israel, and are working closely to ensure there are no threats to the Jewish communities in our province and country.”
- BC United Leader Kevin Falcon: “My heart is with the people of Israel & all British Columbians with family there as we witness these heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas. We condemn these violent attacks & our @BCUnitedCaucus stands with Israel, unequivocally supporting its right to defend itself & its citizens.”
- BC Green Leader Sonia Furstenau: Acts of violence against civilians are profoundly troubling and should be unequivocally denounced. My heart is with the victims of these acts of violence in Israel and Palestine. I fear for what lies ahead. BC Greens wish for the safety and security of the people in the region.
- BC Conservative Leader John Rustad: “Israel has the right to exist and to defend itself. In this time of profound sorrow and anguish, The Conservative Party of British Columbia stands with the Jewish people and the state of Israel. Violence against civilians is deeply disturbing, and must be universally condemned.”
Social media is seeing a range of comments from people around the world, with most leadership calling or hoping for a speedy end to the conflict.
Israel itself made a simple post around 3 am Eastern Time: “Thank you all for your support.”
Some basic analysis:
Peace negotiations have been going on for decades, including led by the United States which currently favours a two-state solution so that land is peacefully bordered between Israel and Palestine.
Most political pundits see this conflict as a way that Hamas hopes to garner a lot of hostages, to presumably be part of their future bargaining.
Israel may need to take a look at how their intelligence and/or military was essentially asleep at the wheel, taking pause for a religious holiday that obviously their adversaries took advantage of.
Former long-time executive director of Human Rights Watch Kenneth Roth posted in social media today: “It is not helpful to use the term “terrorism” in a war when the White House only ever applies it to one side. Better to remind both Hamas and the Israeli government that humanitarian law makes it a war crime to target or indiscriminately fire on civilians.”
The Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, posted on X today: “I was on the ground in Israel less than two months ago and saw those of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faiths living in peace side-by-side. Hamas’ cowardly and unprovoked attack was an attempt to undo that peace. That won’t happen.”
For those who might struggle with the Israel/Palestine debate, remember that — not unlike the battle for democracy that Ukraine is defending in its fight against Russia’s invasion — Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. Big picture.
