Today in Winnipeg, 215 determined citizens gathered outside in the cold and rain, united in a resolute demand for the return of the 63 hostages still held in Gaza by the terrorist death cult that is Hamas. With 22 hostages known to be alive, every moment is critical, and the rally’s message was clear: “We must bring them home now.”
This powerful display of solidarity is not only a plea for immediate action but also a condemnation of the violence and terror inflicted by Hamas. The rally comes against the backdrop of relentless antisemitic protests on Canadian streets and a global environment where terror and hatred have once again reared their ugly heads. In this context, the hostages represent not just innocent lives in peril, but a broader symbol of humanity under attack by extremist forces.
Following the rally, the momentum carried over into an indoor vigil at the Adas Yeshurun Herzlia synagogue, where approximately 300 community members and allies gathered to mourn those whose lives were brutally cut short by Hamas on October 7th and in subsequent acts of violence in Gaza. The somber vigil was marked by a powerful refrain: “Our Jewish community and our allies will not forget, we will not forgive, we will not kneel.” The resolute declaration underscores a collective determination to stand against terror and to ensure that the memories of the fallen—especially the Bibas children, Kfir, Ariel, and their mother, Shiri z”l—are honored and never allowed to fade into oblivion.
The outpouring of emotion and unity at both the rally and the vigil reflects a deep-seated resolve to challenge extremism and demand accountability. Community leaders and political figures lent their support to the events. Among those present were Victoria and Don James from Bridges for Peace, CPC MP for Winnipeg West Marty Morantz, and CPC Candidate for Winnipeg South Centre Royden Brousseau. Their presence not only amplified the message of the protest but also signaled a broader political and social commitment to confronting hate in all its forms.
This dual act of public protest and heartfelt remembrance is a call to action for policymakers and the international community alike. It insists that governments must prioritize the safe return of hostages and take decisive measures to combat the ideologies that fuel terrorism and hate crimes. The rally and vigil serve as a stark reminder that while words can inspire, it is collective action that ultimately brings about change.
In a time when terror casts a long shadow over our communities, the brave individuals in Winnipeg remind us that the fight for justice is relentless. Their unwavering stance—despite harsh weather and overwhelming grief—demonstrates the power of community solidarity in the face of hatred. It is a call to all: that we must never relent, never allow terror to dictate our values, and never forget the cost of inhumanity.
Every moment counts. The voices raised today in Winnipeg echo a universal demand for accountability and the preservation of human dignity. As the world watches, let this be a turning point where compassion triumphs over hate, and where justice for the victims and the safe return of hostages becomes an urgent, inescapable mandate.
I, too, pray this is “a turning point where compassion triumphs over hate, and where justice for the victims and the safe return of hostages becomes an urgent, inescapable mandate.” The world has had two opportunities to wake up and stand with Israel and civilization against the barbarism of Islamist terrorism, on October 7 and in its aftermath. The world failed both moral tests. And now the grotesque spectacles of the hostage releases, with horror upon horror of cheering crowds, humiliation of hostages, violations of the agreement to torture Israelis and their supporters, and much more, should surely constitute another opportunity for the world to recognize the radical evil Israel is fighting, to waken its moral conscience and support Israel. This fight is not only for Israel but for the West and its Enlightenment principles and civilizational values.