\u201cThe relationship between Israel and Canada is at an all-time low,\u201d said Idit Shamir, consul general of Israel for Toronto and Western Canada. \u201cCanada, according to many, has abandoned Israel, the only democratic ally they have in the region.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking via remote video link to the opening event of the Vancouver branch of CHW (Canadian Hadassah-WIZO) Sept. 22, Shamir cited, among other things, the Canadian government\u2019s legitimizing of Hamas information, rather than Israeli government sources, when commenting on the conflict.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany times, they have been proven as mistaken,\u201d said Shamir. \u201cNot as many times, they have taken the time to correct themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Canadian Jews are asking themselves if there is a future for their families in Canada, the envoy said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis is a question that I don\u2019t think was asked here before Oct. 7, and that\u2019s very, very sad,\u201d said Shamir.<\/p>\n Israelis and Canadians alike were shocked by the alarming spike in antisemitism in Canada and worldwide in recent years, but especially in the past 12 months, she said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Shamir addressed concerns about the climate on university campuses and even in public elementary and secondary schools. She spoke just after the controversy erupted over an officially sanctioned Toronto public school field trip to what evolved into an anti-Israel rally.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Making Jews unwelcome on campuses will have negative repercussions for the entire society, she said.<\/p>\n \u201cJews have been instrumental in the university system here, and pushing them out is going to have a serious impact on the future of Canada,\u201d she warned.<\/p>\n Regrettably, Shamir said, Canada has been the launchpad over the years for several negative developments, including Israel Apartheid Week, which began at the University of Toronto before spreading internationally, and, more recently, the concept of \u201canti-Palestinian racism,\u201d which was adopted as policy by the Toronto and District School Board. The idea, she said, paints any expression that is critical of the prevailing Palestinian narrative as racist.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you see that happening already at the elementary school level, we can imagine the depth of indoctrination that is going on in the universities,\u201d said Shamir.<\/p>\n On the positive side, the consul general said, opinion polls indicate that most Canadians support Israel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMost Canadians can understand that \u2026 we didn\u2019t choose this war,\u201d she said. \u201cWe are fighting a war for our survival, for the survival of the only Jewish democracy and country in the world. And now we understand more than ever the need for a safe haven for Jews.\u201d<\/p>\n Among the 101 hostages remaining in captivity, Shamir said, the Israeli government believes more than half remain alive. The body of Judy Weinstein Haggai, a dual Canadian-Israeli citizen who is known to have been killed, remains in Gaza.<\/p>\n \u201cThe hostages are the utmost priority,\u201d Shamir said, \u201creleasing the ones who are alive and returning the bodies of those who are not.\u201d<\/p>\n She linked the Gaza conflict to wider geopolitical issues, pointing to Iranian-backed forces launching missiles from Lebanon, Iraq and even Yemen. She was speaking before Iran launched more direct attacks on Israel Oct. 1.<\/p>\n \u201cWe cannot forget that Iran is behind this, and we can see that rockets are coming from Iranian-sponsored sources in places we would not have imagined,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n In response to these challenges, the consul general called for unity among the Jewish community and its allies, stressing the need for resilience and solidarity.<\/p>\n Noting that \u201cJews are coming together and becoming a united force to be reckoned with in Canada,\u201d Shamir said members of the Jewish community must remain vigilant and continue to fight antisemitism and support Israel.<\/p>\n The envoy lauded CHW\u2019s long-standing efforts to empower women and children, provide health care and assist displaced Israelis.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a labour of love that touches hearts and changes lives every single day,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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