Jewish, Palestinian communities in Winnipeg worried as conflict escalates, hope for support at rallies

Supporters of Israelis and Palestinians in Winnipeg continue to worry for the safety of those in Israel and Gaza, as fighting between the Hamas militant group and the Israeli military has killed over a thousand people.

"My heart goes out to everyone," said Belle Jarniewski, executive director of the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada, located in Winnipeg.

"I think of these people and how terrified they must be."

At least 700 people in Israel and more than 400 people in Gaza are reported to have been killed since Saturday, when Hamas launched a barrage of rockets out of Gaza into Israel. The Israeli government declared war following the attack, and retaliated by launching airstrikes into the territory.

Jarniewski said she's saddened by the violence and destruction, and hopes people will show their support for Israel at a rally in Winnipeg slated for Tuesday evening.

"When I see the pictures and I recognize those places, having been to many of them, it's absolute shock," she said.

The rally will be held at the Asper Jewish Community Campus on Doncaster Street Tuesday at 7 p.m., Jarniewski said,   where community members can gather for prayer and a vigil.

Meanwhile, a rally in support of Palestinians has also been set.

Candice Bodnaruk of Peace Alliance Winnipeg said members of the Palestinian community, as well as supporting groups like Independent Jewish Voices Winnipeg, will be gathering outside Winnipeg's city hall on Monday at 2:30 p.m.

She said while the organization calls for peace and opposes the recent violence, she added that it's also important for people to understand the conflict from a Palestinian perspective.

"They're living in what's been called an open-air prison," Bodnaruk, who's helping organize the rally, said late Sunday.

"All we can do … is speak out about the importance of human rights and encourage people to support."

The leader of Hamas's military has said the assault this weekend was in response to the 16-year blockade of Gaza and Israeli raids over the past year.

While Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza in 2005, and the strip has been run by Hamas since it seized control of the territory in 2007, an independent UN Human Rights commission last year found Israel has continued to occupy Gaza by effectively controlling movement in and out of its borders and the supply of essentials like water and electricity.