The past week has brought both hope and hardship.
The threat posed by Iran’s Islamic Republic, which has inflicted pain and suffering on its own people, the region, and the world, is being directly confronted.
Canada has long supported actions against this brutal Regime. As we at CIJA advocate for the government to maintain this support, we need your voice to urge our leaders to confront the Regime and protect Canadians.
For nearly fifty years, the Regime has ruthlessly oppressed the people of Iran. It has spread violence and terrorism across the region, and its pursuit of nuclear weapons poses a grave global danger. The Regime and its apologists have also sought to extend their reach into Canada, spreading its radical ideology and threatening the safety of Canadians.
Over the past week, millions of Israelis have spent their days and nights in bomb shelters. Millions of Iranians are also living through the turmoil of a country at war while still facing the brutality of the Regime. Across the region and as far as Europe, civilians have come under fire from the missiles and rockets of Iran and its proxies, including a deadly strike on a Beit Shemesh neighbourhood that took nine innocent lives.
Here in Canada, there are reports of Iranian and Jewish businesses being targeted with gunfire. Just hours after a Purim gathering, a Toronto synagogue was shot at. Despite this attack, the congregation came together the very next morning to read the Megillah. Joining this proud and resilient community, I couldn’t help but think about the powerful message it sent: we will stand our ground together as Jews and as Canadians.
It has also been uplifting to see Jewish and Iranian Canadians come together. Our communities share deep bonds and common values – the same ones shared by every Canadian who believes in democracy and fundamental human rights.
The days and weeks ahead won't be easy. We must remain vigilant. But we are resilient, and we have allies who share a common cause: safeguarding our country from the violent extremists that threaten our Canadian way of life.
