Shalom. Good evening. Good evening. Eleven days ago, the terrorist organization Hamas
launched an attack of unspeakable brutality. We’ve all heard the stories of the murder, kidnapping,
maiming, and acts of sexual violence, of innocent people, of the elderly—and it’s painful for us to
even think of it—of children and babies. I’m sure most of you in this room personally know someone or many people who were affected.
I know that not knowing what is happening to loved ones, knowing that the danger is not over, is very concerning.
Several of the stories we are hearing are also Canadian stories. We are a diverse country, and we have
strong connections with events around the world.
We were devastated to know that it was the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust, and Canadians were among those
killed. Alexandre Look from Montréal died after calling his parents to let them know he loved
them. Ben Mizrachi from Vancouver was known for being larger than life and tried to save people
once the attack at the music festival began. Shir Georgy was just 22 when she was killed.
Netta Epstein died jumping on a grenade to save his fiancée. Adi Vital-Kaploun, who had roots
here in Ottawa, died in her kibbutz after making sure her killers spared her two young children.
And Tiferet Lapidot had Canadian parents, she was just turning 23. May their memories be a blessing.
Our hearts are broken, and they break again and again as we hear each story. We are also deeply
concerned about the two Canadians who are still missing and may be among those held hostage.
We’re in close contact with their families and are offering all possible support, including working
with Israeli authorities to locate them as quickly as possible. Global Affairs and our embassies in
the region continue to work tirelessly to contact and support affected Canadians, and we are closely
engaged with our allies and partners to help people safely depart from Gaza, the West Bank,
and Israel as quickly and safely as possible. Our government is highly engaged, and members
of our team are working around the clock to help impacted Canadians. Minister Joly was in
Israel and Jordan over the weekend meeting with partners and leading our diplomatic efforts.
Minister Blair has been ensuring the Canadian Armed Forces’ evacuation flights are getting as
many Canadians out of the region as possible. So far, 12 flights have left Tel Aviv with over 1,300
people on board. And Minister Hussen is making sure essential aid is getting to affected people,
including through the Magen David Adom in Israel.
Since this crisis began, I have been reaching out to leaders in the region, including Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas, to talk about
freeing Canadian hostages, making sure affected people are receiving essential aid, and ensuring
peace and stability in the region. The situation remains volatile, and we will not stop being there
for affected Canadians. We condemn the acts of Hamas unequivocally, and we are calling for the
immediate release of all hostages. (Applause)
Canada fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law,
and in Gaza, as elsewhere, international law, including humanitarian law, must be upheld by
all. Even wars have rules. Canada will always be a friend of Israel and defend its rights,
including its right to exist. (Applause)
Canada will not stand with those who try to uphold (inaudible). I remember well,
Irwin, when you taught me these… probably, I don’t know, 14 years ago as a young MP,
the three Ds of modern anti-Semitism: the double standards, delegitimization, or demonization
of Israel. What happened on October 7 is unimaginable. The indiscriminate killing
of innocent civilians is shocking beyond belief. The Hamas terrorists committed unimaginable acts.
I want to make it clear here today, as I did yesterday in Parliament:
Hamas is a terrorist organization that massacred and brutalized innocent people.
These people are not freedom fighters, they are not resistance fighters: they are terrorists. (Applause)
Canada has listed Hamas as a terrorist organization for decades and nothing can justify Hamas’s acts of terror and their crimes.
Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people nor their legitimate aspirations.
They do not speak for Muslim or Arab communities, and they do not represent the better futures that Palestinians
and their children deserve. The only thing that they stand for is more suffering for Israeli and
Palestinian civilians. (Applause)
Hamas continues to commit unspeakable acts and are trying to instigate further acts of violence
against Jewish people around the world, which, of course, has sent a current of fear throughout
Jewish communities. You see, sadly, since this conflict broke out, there has been a very scary
rise of anti-Semitism here at home, on top of past years, when we saw already a steady rise
in anti-Semitism. There were reports of a possible hate crime at Tanenbaum CHAT, a Jewish High School
in Toronto, last week. I’ve heard stories of people who are wondering if they shouldn’t
wear their Star of David necklaces, if they should take their yarmulkes off in public. Families worry
about what they face if they go to synagogue, and I know you’re all probably encountering
hateful and troubling rhetoric online.
I say it unequivocally: the glorification of violence and the celebration of hatred, in any form, are never acceptable.
(Applause) Our Minister of Public Safety,
Dominic LeBlanc, is in close contact with the leadership of the RCMP and making sure
he is aware of… the leadership of the RCMP is aware of actions being taken to keep Jewish
communities safe. We’ve continually improved and expanded the Security Infrastructure Program so
that community institutions like synagogues and Jewish day schools can make needed investments.
In 2015, when our government took office, this program only had about $1 million worth
of funding. Since then, it has grown to over $15 million. I wish it hadn’t existed at all,
I wish we didn’t need it, but we do and we’re going to continue to be there listening to
your concerns and keeping investing in ways to keep your community safe.
Yesterday, we appointed Deborah Lyons as Canada’s new Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust
Remembrance and Combating Anti-Semitism. (Applause)
She takes over from my good friend, a remarkable scholar and advocate for the Jewish community and
human rights around the world, Irwin Cotler. (Applause)
Irwin, thank you for having served as Canada’s first Special Envoy, but thank you more for
everything you have brought and continue to bring to Canada in so many ways. And Ariele,
thank you for giving him permission to continue to work as hard as he does. (Applause)
As Irwin always reminds me, Ariele was quicker to jump in support of my leadership than he was, and I always remember
that (inaudible). (Laughter)
Irwin has been a friend and a mentor and an inspiration for me for many years, and I have
been incredibly lucky to be able to work alongside you in so many moments. And I am so glad that we
have you here with us, not just tonight but in these incredibly trying moments to continue to share your strength and your wisdom with us all.
Thank you very much, my dear friend.
(Applause) Deborah, of course, is a remarkable woman with
decades of experience in international relations. She’s an unfailing ally of the Jewish community,
and I mention her in this respect because I want all of you in this room to know that you
are not alone. The work of fighting hate, of fighting Holocaust denial, is not yours alone;
every one of us must confront this challenge together. When we see or hear anti-Semitism,
all Canadians, especially non-Jewish Canadians, need to stand up and step up. (Applause)
That is why all members
of our government stand with you unequivocally in your work. Respect for each other is who we
are as a country. Our diversity is our strength. In Canada, liberty never means taking away the
freedoms of others. It’s about living in a way that expands and strengthens freedom for everyone.
As Canada, as Canadians, we have proven that a country can be built on and defined by shared
values, not by religion or ethnicity or history or culture or language, but shared values.
And even though those values are being put to the test once again, I want to say it again: you are not alone.
I know this is an incredibly difficult time. There is a saying that Jewish communities have repeated
for generations in times like these, and I hope it gives you some comfort now: Gam Zeh Yaavor.
This too shall pass. (Applause)
All Canadians stand with you in your grief. We will protect your rights and freedoms and
security here in Canada so you can continue to live publicly and proudly Jewish lives.
(Applause) We will get through this together, my friends.
Thank you very much.