Winnipeg's Jewish, Palestinian communities hold Sunday solidarity events

Members of Winnipeg's Jewish and Palestinian communitiesgathered at different events on Sunday to voice their hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Hamas and Israel.

A pro-Israel car rally, attended by a few hundred people, travelled from Winnipeg's Asper Jewish Community Campus to the Manitoba legislative building on Sunday afternoon, where a vigil was held.

"This is not about Palestinians or Israelis. This is [about] terrorism. This is not a conflict between us and the Palestinians, and that's what I want people to understand," said Ron East, founder of the Israeli Canadian Council.

"No one is taking joy in seeing Palestinian citizens being killed in Gaza as a result of this conflict, but this conflict was brought onto us both the Israelis and the Palestinians by Hamas."

About 300 people also attended a sold-out communityfundraisingdinner on Sunday at the Winnipeg Grand Mosque in support ofemergency efforts for Palestinians affected by the war, but alsofor humanitarian aid for earthquake survivors inAfghanistan.

Powerful earthquake and aftershocks have hit western Afghanistan over the past week, flattening entire villages and leavingthousands of people dead.

Thousands have also been killed in the Israel-Hamas war sincethe fighting erupted just over a week ago.The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,670 Palestinians have been killed, more than in the 2014 Gaza warwhich lasted over six weeks.

And more than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, the vast majority of them civilians who died in the initial assault by Hamas on Oct. 7. This is the deadliest war for Israel since the 1973 conflict with Egypt and Syria.

East says members of Winnipeg's Jewish community have been distressed by the violenceand Sunday's car rally was a way for them to show pride and support for one another, as well as to send a message to Manitobans.

"This is not a war that Israel wanted. It's not a war that Israel asked for," he said.

'Our people are suffering'

Israel once again urged civilians in northern Gaza to evacuate to southern parts of the small territory on Sunday, in anticipation of a possible ground military operation. Israel says it is committed to destroying Hamas but does not want to harm civilians.

Gaza's 2.3 million people faced a continuing struggle for food, water and safety on Sunday and braced for a looming Israeli invasion.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement Saturday calling for a humanitarian aid corridor be opened to Gaza. Egypt has yet to reach an agreement with Israel and Hamas to reopen its border crossing to deliver medical supplies and other humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Noris Zeid, a Palestinian Winnipegger who helped organize Sunday's fundraising dinner at the Winnipeg Grand Mosque, says the event was a way to raise money and support for Palestinians and Afghanis.

"It's really tough. Even right now, it's hard for people to talk about it. There's so much carnage, so much suffering," he said.

Zeid said "every type of person" from "every walk of life" wanted to help with the dinner, which had people waiting by the door for a seat at the sold-out event.

"It makes me feel really goodbut our people are suffering.We're going to have a nice meal, we're going to give some money, and they're suffering."

Zeid said an event volunteer's son has been fearful of going to school over the last week because one of his teachers equated Palestinians to terrorists. He said Winnipeg's Palestinian community wants to be a beacon of hope and peace.

"We do not want to see anybody hurt. We don't want to see anybody lose their life at all."

Less than two hours after doors opened,the event had raised $20,000, according to organizers. Smaller rallies in support of the Palestinians also took place at The Forks on Sunday and in front of the University of Winnipeg on Saturday.

Rashedeh, an Afghani attendee who fled her home country and came to Canada with her family as a child about two decades ago, says discussions about the conflict between Hamas militants and Israel have been one sided.

"Both sides of the story need to be shared," she said, adding she wants to see Canadians have open and honest conversations about what is happening in Gaza without fear of punishment.

CBC News is not using Rashedeh's last name due to safety concerns for her family members back in the Taliban-controlled country.

She said anyone wanting to show support for Palestinians or Afghanis can use their voice if they cannot donate.

"It's really heartwarming to see the community come together at a time like this," she said.

"The loss of life anywhere is horrendous whether it be from natural causes or from war, it is heartbreaking on both sides."