Torontonians mark anniversary of Oct. 7 attack, aftermath
Family members of loved ones in Israel, Gaza reflect on latest violent chapter in Israeli-Palestinian conflict
One year ago, Toronto resident Aharon Brodutch's sister-in-law, Hagar, and her three children were taken from their home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza in Israel when the Hamas militant group that rules the Gaza Strip launched the deadliest attack on Jewish people since the Holocaust.
The family was released seven weeks later as part of a series of hostage-prisoner exchanges, but the trauma from the harrowing experience still haunts them.
"It's tough and, unfortunately, they continue living this because, you know, it hasn't ended," Brodutch told CBC Radio's Metro Morning on Monday.
"There's still a war going on, and there are still hostages there, and it's weighing on them."
Brodutch is among many in Toronto, and across the world, marking the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack that killed more than 1,200 people and saw 250 people taken hostage, 70 of whom have since died, according to Israeli media, and 100 of whom remain hostages.
The attack initiated the latest conflagration in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict — a violent year, in which the Israeli government responded to the attacks with a ground invasion and relentless bombing campaign that has killed tens of thousands Palestinian people in Gaza.
Mirvat Alshrafi, a Palestinian mother of four who lives in Aurora, approximately 50 kilometres north of Toronto, said her mother, her four sisters and their five children have been staying in shelters in different parts of Gaza, after their home was bombed last October.
Alshrafi said she regularly wakes up in the middle of the night out of fear they may have been injured or killed by an Israeli bomb.
"I have my normal life here, but we can't live our life normally," she said. "It's too difficult to witness all the kids' deaths and the people's deaths and to live with the thought of whether my family will be the next one."
The Oct. 7 attack has prompted grief and fury among many, and its effects have rippled out far beyond the Middle East. Over the past year in Toronto, countless families have grieved loved ones who were killed, hundreds of protests have resulted in arrests, pro-Palestinian encampments took over university campuses — and police have reported a spike in reports of hate crimes against Jews and Muslims.
Memorial for victims, protests against war
Jewish groups in Toronto held events Monday to mourn people wounded, killed and kidnapped in the Hamas attack and to call for the release of the remaining hostages still in captivity.
Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian groups organized demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinian people and against the ongoing Israeli military operation, one that has since spread to Lebanon.
Last week, Toronto and other area police services announced plans to step up protections in Jewish neighbourhoods and at mosques in light of the anniversary.
The UJA Federation of Greater Toronto planned a memorial in the evening that was to include remarks, performances, a candle-lighting ceremony, photo exhibit and art display.
Organizers expected about 20,000 people to attend, including elected officials.
"We are asking for our allies to stand with us, not just on this day, but every day. We are asking for people to use their voices and to speak out against hate. Hate is not acceptable in this country. It's not acceptable for any group and it's not acceptable against the Jewish community," said Sara Lefton, the federation's chief development officer.
"We are Canadians, we are proud Canadians. And on this day, on October 7th, it is incredibly important that we call together the Jewish community and our allies to mark this date, to remember all the lives that were tragically lost on October 7th in Israel."
Toronto Friends of Standing Together, a progressive group of Israeli and Palestinian citizens of Israel who oppose the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, held a silent vigil to commemorate those killed on Oct. 7.
The group is calling for a ceasefire agreement, a hostage deal, an end to the military occupation and Israeli-Palestinian peace.
Canadians for Palestine, an advocacy group against anti-Palestinian racism, is encouraging its supporters to take the day off work to take part in "street action" and pro-Palestinian activism. A protest at Queen's Park in Toronto resulted in the arrest of one man for breach of the peace at about 6 p.m., according to police.
"While our brothers and sisters in Palestine continue to demonstrate resilience and strength after 365 days of genocide, we draw inspiration from them to recommit ourselves to the liberation of Palestine ... from the river to the sea," the group wrote in a social media post.
Premier Ford vows to combat hate, antisemitism
Premier Doug Ford issued a statement to mark the anniversary, condemning the "antisemitic terrorist attack against Israelis" on Oct. 7 and calling for the release of hostages still being held captive by Hamas militants.
"One year later, our thoughts and prayers also go out to the families and loved ones of those who were killed in the attacks and of those who continue to be held hostage," Ford said.
"This includes many people in Ontario's Jewish community, who maintain deep and close ties with family and loved ones in Israel."
Ford condemned the "alarming" rise in antisemitism, both in Ontario and the world.
"We will continue to stand up against hate wherever it is found and work to foster understanding, unity and respect in our province and communities," he said.
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With files from The Canadian Press and Reuters