Israel Support Hits Home

Winnipeg, CANADA - Last night the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg held a rally in support of Israel at the Asper Jewish Community Campus. There was approximately 900 supporters inside while there were about 70 protesters outside.

Winnipeg is a multicultural city with strong representation from many cultures. The Jewish Community is a vital part of Winnipeg culture with a very vibrant, passionate representation. Dozens of police officers kept watch outside as there were some clashes and harsh words between Israel and Palestinian supporters. "That's like waving the red flag at the bull," Bob Freedman, the federation's CEO, said of the pro-Palestine protest. At times the police officers had to step between pro-Israel people that were walking into the complex for the rally and protesters from the Canada Palestine Support Network and other groups outside. "Hamas uses human shields!" Vanessa Harari yelled in the face of Alon Weinburg, a Jewish man who stood outside in the brazen frigid temperatures with the pro-Palestine protesters but claims to not take sides. "This has become polarized, and that's what you get," Weinburg said of Harari's anger. "I'm on the side of peace and justice," he added. The Stand With Israel event included representatives from three political parties who showed their support by speaking to the crowd. Conservative MPs Vic Toews and Joy Smith, Liberal MP Anita Neville and NDP Justice Minister Dave Chomiak were among those supporting Israel. "The enemy and the fear are terrorists who know no limits," Chomiak told the audience of the Hamas militant organization that has been deemed a terrorist group. "The tragic truth is that civilian deaths will continue until Hamas abandons the policy of terror or until someone takes away its ability to wage war against the civilian population," Jonathan Kroft, chairman of the federation told the audience in the jam-packed gym at the Asper Jewish Community Campus last night. There were many people proudly waving and even wearing Israeli flags. Several protesters outside held a banner stating "Israel stop killing Gazans, Canada boycott Israel." "We're here to create more awareness as to why the Palestinians deserve justice," said Alana Swartz.. "They deserve some land and the right to commerce, and the right to freedom." The rally was held by the Jewish federation to back Israel amidst its widening military conflict with the Hamas government. The conflict has claimed the lives of 600 Palestinians in the past two weeks while Hamas continues to fire rockets into Israel causing Israelis to run for shelter. Moshe Kanevsky recently came to Winnipeg from Israel with his wife and two children. His parents have remained in Israel. "They can't go outside.Their afraid."Kanevsky said of his parents who are threatened by rockets from Beersheva."Suddenly, you have alarms, and you don't know where their going to fall. You don't know where to walk."