October 1, 2024 Statement from the Toronto Friends of Standing Together

October 1, 2024 Statement from Toronto Friends of Standing Together

Reflecting on one year of heartbreak, and one year of hope


We are the Toronto chapter of the Friends of Standing Together grassroots movement. As Canadians, we're dedicated to uplifting and empowering the work of Standing Together, and their struggle for peace, an end to the occupation, equality, and social justice in Israel–Palestine. We're releasing this statement not to speak for Standing Together, but rather to present our perspective, inspired by their struggle, to our Canadian communities.


We are Canadian Israelis, Palestinians, Jews, Arabs, Muslims, and allies, who are organized and united together in mutual solidarity against hatred, violence, and endless wars. We are united in mutual solidarity that 14 million people live in Israel–Palestine and none of them are going anywhere. All 7 million Palestinians and 7 million Jews between the river and the sea deserve equal safety, security, freedom, human rights, and dignity. 


We were gutted and horrified by the attack of October 7, 2023, by Hamas and other militant groups, against innocent civilians. Hamas attacked and murdered not just Israelis, but also Palestinian Arabs, and foreign civilians. We were heartbroken over the 1,200 murders that took place, the rapes and atrocities, and  the over 230 hostages that were taken by Hamas, which included babies, children, women, the elderly, men, and more. Many still remain hostage, and many have been murdered or killed. Thousands of Israelis remain traumatized and displaced due to ongoing tensions with Hezbollah in the north.  


We were disgusted on October 8th by the immediate hailing and praise of the October 7th attacks by people worldwide. We were then disgusted by the “all-or-nothing” rhetoric that we heard from people who were calling for a very harsh retaliation against Gaza – but not just against the militants – but were and are calling for the collective punishment, displacement, and targeting of the entire population of the Gaza strip. 


Let’s focus on the fact that we have an alternative to endless wars: we are fighting for a world where all “sides” live in safety, equality, and social justice. We have been heartened and inspired by the countless Palestinians, Israelis, and people around the world who have called for an end to the war, an end to military occupation, and a society dedicated to freedom and peace.


We were and continue to be gutted and horrified by the immediate campaign of bombing of Gaza that quickly began racking up death tolls in the 1000s. At this point, it is estimated that the death toll has far exceeded 42,000 human beings (16,500 of them children), and many more lost under the rubble. It is also estimated that 10,000 people are missing and 95,497 injured.  There are countless surviving children with no surviving family members. Further, approximately 1.9 million people (85% of the population of Gaza) are displaced with diseases, including polio, resulting from the lack of access to clean water, medical care, food, electricity, and other essential resources. The tragedy is unfathomable.


We still, to this day, demand an immediate ceasefire agreement and hostage release deal to save the most lives possible. We also demand that equal freedom, safety, security, and dignity, is respected for both Palestinians and Israelis living in Israel–Palestine. We wish for an end to the military occupation and a political peace deal, which have become more urgent as each passing day happens.


We're disappointed by the leaders prioritizing their own power over the interests of the vast majority of people in Israel–Palestine, who all have an interest in peace, an end to the occupation, social justice, and equality.


As Canadians looking at our own society, we further are unsettled by the seemingly regular threats and attacks on Arabs, Muslims, and Palestinian allies, through the silencing, arrest and disenfranchisement of people who protest the indiscriminate bombing in Gaza. Canadians have the right to peaceful protest and speech. Canadians should be able to express their solidarity with people under attack, without feeling unsafe.


As Canadians, we are further unsettled by the seemingly regular threats and attacks against Jewish institutions, such as synagogues, schools, community centres, hospitals, and more. Canadian Jews deserve to live in peace, safety, and the same human rights afforded to all Canadians.


We also note that while free speech is enjoyed in Canada, extremist groups of any sort need to be mindful and held accountable when their language crosses over into hate speech and incitement of violence on Canadian soil. 


Islamophobia and Antisemitism are very much present in our society. Conspiracy theories serve only bigots and elites. We all must move past these dangerous ideologies to a politics of solidarity and partnership.


While we are still in mourning, every single day, we find the things that give us hope.  Specifically, the work of Standing Together, a grassroots movement jointly lead by both Jewish Israelis and Palestinian citizens of Israel, organizing together for a better future, which continues to expand rapidly and find support internationally.


At this sad anniversary moment, our calls to action as we enter the next season are as follows:

  1. Amplify the voices of Jews and Palestinians on the ground, demanding a ceasefire agreement, hostage deal, end to the military occupation, and Israeli-Palestinian peace.
  2. When you see dehumanization, racism, or extremism happening, please find your courage to call it in or address it directly. 
  3. Join the Friends of Standing Together, in your local chapter or on the newsletter list.
  4. Believe us – Canadian Jews, Palestinians, Israelis, and Arabs – when we say that our fates are intertwined and that we refuse to be enemies.
  5. Believe us when we say that we are stronger together, in solidarity.

Let’s focus on the fact that we have an alternative to endless wars: we are fighting for a world where all “sides” live in safety, equality, and social justice. We have been heartened and inspired by the countless Palestinians, Israelis, and people around the world who have called for an end to the war, an end to military occupation, and a society dedicated to freedom and peace.


Key Links:



Thank you.


Signed, 


The Toronto Friends of Standing Together

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