FILE PHOTO - The Okanagan Jewish Community Centre in Kelowna is pictured in this undated image from Google Street View.
Image Credit: GOOGLE STREET VIEW
October 13, 2023 - 5:30 PM
The call for pro-Hamas protests worldwide as a result of the Israeli-Hamas war has raised concerns in the Okanagan Jewish community.
“There is no place in our beautiful region for hateful acts,” read a statement from the Beth Shalom congregation at the Okanagan Jewish Community Centre in Kelowna released today, Oct. 13.
The response comes after former Hamas leader, Khaled Meshaal, called for a worldwide pro-Palestine, anti-Israel protest.
“The vibrant local Jewish and Muslim communities have long maintained a healthy and mutually supportive relationship,” the statement read. “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.”
Community Centre spokesperson Abbey Westbury told iNFOnews.ca they want to avoid potential hate crimes that could come as a result of pro-Hamas protests.
“I'm certain that we have individuals in both of our communities that are adamant and passionate one way or the other,” Westbury said. “But the fight is not amongst the individuals here. We know the members of the Muslim community. They know us. We're friendly. We have a very amicable relationship with them.”
So far there have been no reports of violent or aggressive protests in the area, although the initial call to action from Meshaal contained very antisemitic language and threats.
“What did he call it? Kill a Jew day. Something like that,” Westbury said. “(It’s) a little more extreme than protest… When we heard that, that was when we were like, we have to get ahead of this and just be like, hey guys, not in our backyard basically.”
Concern had been expressed by some Jewish parents, Westbury said, but so far there has been nothing to worry about yet.
“There's a preschool in our building that is unaffiliated. They just rent the space there. And I know some of the parents called up and were worried yesterday, but we have not heard any whisper of a threat, thankfully,” she said.
The Okanagan Jewish community is not making any political statement, Westbury said.
“We just wanted to make sure that the greater Okanagan community is aware that the conflict is not an issue here between the individuals here,” she said.
READ MORE: 'No place' for championing violence: Canada's justice and public safety ministers
RCMP across Canada have said that they are aware of social media posts threatening the safety of Jewish communities in Canada.
In a statement, RCMP have said that it's a time for "increased vigilance." Public safety and justice ministers from across the country have also said that no one should be supporting violence or terrorism.
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