Demonstrators will gather tonight in Vancouver to show their solidarity with Israel amid ongoing terrorist attacks.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver is hosting a community gathering at Jack Poole Plaza on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear blue and white and bring Israeli and Canadian flags.
"We gather for Israel—and we need you there. In this historic crisis, join us to show the people of Israel that we are with them," the organization wrote on its website.
Since parking will be limited, demonstrators are encouraged to use other forms of transportation to get to the event.
For security reasons, organizers also ask that attendees do not bring backpacks and large bags to the rally. They also advise people to be cautious of their surroundings and report incidents to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD).
As violence continues to escalate overseas, the VPD has stated that it has increased police patrol near places of worship and community centres. However, it has not identified a specific threat to public safety in the city.
Police and security guards will be on-site during the rally to ensure safety.
VPD Sgt. Steve Addison told V.I.A. that police have "heard from hundreds of people, in our community and beyond, who are distressed by what they are seeing in the news and hearing from loved ones in the region."
Hamas terrorist attack claims the life of a Vancouver man
A 22-year-old Vancouver man was among hundreds killed in a Hamas attack at a music festival in Israel.
Ben Mizrachi attended the Tribe of Nova music festival in Israel on Saturday, Oct. 7, which coincided with the Jewish festival of Sukkot. Terrorists opened fire at the festival for hours, gunning down civilians and snatching people in towns. The rescue service Zaka said it removed about 260 bodies from the festival, and that number was expected to rise.
Israel supporters have been holding smaller rallies across the city over the past couple of days to show their solidarity.
Praying for #Peace at Vancouver rally in support of the people of Israel. #VancouverstandswithIsrael#CanadastandswithIsrael pic.twitter.com/m9gEFfnSVd
— Chaim Yoel Ben Adama (@ChaimSonOfEarth) October 10, 2023
On Sunday, Israel declared war on Palestine. As of Tuesday, at least 1,900 lives have been claimed by the conflict on both sides, and that number is expected to rise. The weekend attack that Hamas said was retribution for worsening conditions for Palestinians under Israeli occupation has fired Israel's determination to crush the group's hold in Gaza.
With files from Maria Diment and the Canadian Press
