Mayor asks Trudeau for help battle against anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in Edmonton

Amarjeet Sohi is reaching out to the prime minister, adding his call for a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel, and requesting support responding to racism and hate in Edmonton.

Edmonton mayor Amarjeet Sohi is reaching out to the prime minister, adding his call for a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel, and requesting support responding to racism and hate at home.

In a letter dated Nov. 21, Sohi adds his support for calls for an immediate ceasefire, safe evacuation for the remaining Canadians still in the region, a release of all hostages and unrestricted aid to address the humanitarian crisis.

“Although the conflict is happening thousands of miles away, for many Edmontonians, it is incredibly personal,” Sohi wrote. “My office has received an unprecedented amount of correspondence from Edmontonians with over 3,000 emails, hundreds of social media mentions, and many phone calls urging action for the safety of Palestinian and Israeli people.”

Israel’s Cabinet on Wednesday approved a temporary cease-fire with the Hamas militant group that is expected to bring the first halt in fighting in a devastating six-week conflict and win freedom for dozens of hostages held captive in the Gaza Strip.

The deal calls for a four-day cease-fire, during which Israel will halt its military offensive in Gaza while Hamas frees “at least” 50 of the roughly 240 hostages it and other militants are holding, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said. The first hostages to be released are women and children.

In his letter, Sohi also asks the federal government for support “to protect religious and cultural facilities from hate and violence in Edmonton.”

“Locally, Edmonton is experiencing a concerning escalation of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia,” Sohi wrote. “I have heard from many Edmontonians who are feeling unsafe. I have spoken with and heard stories from many Jewish and Muslim community members who feel and experience targeted hate at schools, places of worship and in public spaces.”

Sohi said he takes these concerns extremely seriously.