Today marks the second yahrzeit, the two-year anniversary, of the live-streamed, brutal genocide in Gaza. For two years, in full view of the world, Israel has bombed hospitals, schools, places of worship, homes, agricultural land, vital infrastructure. Israel has blocked aid, assassinated journalists, healthcare providers, aid workers. They have bombed neighboring countries, broken countless ceasefires, and refused to do anything other than continually escalate the brutality of their violence in Gaza and throughout the West Bank.
On this second yahrtzeit, we, like many in our community, are struggling to find the words. Every day is shattering. At least 68,000 Palestinians have been murdered in Gaza, a number that continues to grow each day under relentless assault. Multiple Lancet studies show that the true death count from Israel’s assault on the region is likely vastly under-reported. Entire communities have been erased. Gaza has been reduced to rubble. And yet, the world watches. Our government continues to arm Israel, to shield its actions diplomatically, and to fund organizations complicit in this violence, all in violation of international law and our own values.
In marking this yahrtzeit, many of us are brought to a standstill with overwhelming grief. That grief is necessary in the face of so much loss. Tears are necessary, and allowing ourselves to truly feel the pain of what we are witnessing is important. In mourning we resist the dehumanization of Palestinians, and refuse to become desensitized to the violence and destruction inflicted upon Palestinians by Israel. Yet we have a responsibility to not let ourselves remain mired in mourning alone. From our grief, we must act.
Reckoning with the violence and destruction of the past year, and our own government’s passiveness in the face of these horrors, makes it clearer than ever that it is our responsibility to act. As Jews who are called to work for justice, as Canadians whose tax dollars go towards funding this genocide. As human beings who care deeply about the lives of our fellow human beings. With grief in our hearts, we must move into action.
There are many meaningful ways that you can take action today and in this coming year. We know that many of you are already taking action on a daily basis. We know that many of you feel like nothing you do is enough. Nothing is enough. And yet each action is one more drop in the ocean that will eventually drown this genocide and Israel’s occupation.
Here are our suggestions for some actions that you can take today:
ARMS EMBARGO NOW
Attend our training about how to talk to your MP about the No More Loopholes Bill, Thursday Oct 9 at 6:30 pm EST
STOP THE JNF
Call the CRA to demand that the burner charity of “JNF Canada” is suspended and ultimately revoked
WITHDRAW BILL C-9
Send a letter to your MP urging them to withdraw Bill C-9, the Combating Hate Act