London, Ont., faith leaders reflect and call for unity on Israel-Hamas war 1-year anniversary

One year after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel, faith leaders in London, Ont., are reflecting on the ensuing 12 months of conflict and the calls for unity made in the immediate aftermath, amid a local spike in hate incidents targeting the Jewish and Muslim community.

A letter signed by more than 60 interfaith leaders from various religions called for peaceful dialogue, compassion, and for all people to acknowledge the pain and loss felt by many communities.

Soon after the Oct. 7 attacks, faith leaders wrote that despite disagreements, they were united in the belief "this time of profound brokenness cannot be used as a justification for any form of hatred or discrimination."

The letter read: "We cry out for an end to all violence. We yearn for a lasting peace — peace for Israelis and Palestinians, peace for all global citizens, peace here between us all."

The attacks in southern Israel by Hamas killed some 1,200 people, with more than 250 taken hostage by the militant group, according to Israel. Israel's ensuing war against Hamas has displaced most of Gaza's 2.3 million residents and left nearly 42,000 dead, Gaza health authorities say. 

Reported hate crimes rose 39 per cent locally from 2022 to 2023, amplified in part by the war, according to London police. Reported hate crimes against Muslims rose 263 per cent, spiking after Oct. 7, while reports involving Jews rose 24 per cent.

One year on, with nearly 100 Israeli hostages still in Gaza and tens of thousands of Palestinians killed in the conflict, at least three of the signatories say they still believe in the letter's goals.

Most Londoners appear to have followed the call, said Dean Kevin George, of St. Paul's Cathedral, who helped organize the letter.

"The pain, the hurt and the devastation that comes from humanity wreaking violence upon itself has continued to reinforce the need for a sense of peace and kindness toward all people," he said.

"For us, the hostages being held need to be released. We believe that the violence in Gaza needs to stop, and that a sense of peace and justice for all people must prevail," George said, speaking for the church.

His message to congregants, he said, was to pray and stand with "our Jewish siblings, our Muslim siblings," in respecting the dignity of people regardless of faith or background.

Monday was for remembering the loss, re-experiencing the pain and offering comfort to the bereaved, said Rabbi Eliezer Gurkow of Beth Tefilah Synagogue.

Congregants have felt disbelief and shock over the last year, he said, as well as "betrayal and violation" over messages at pro-Palestinian rallies he says blamed the Jewish people for the attack.

He said the city had coalesced around the Jewish community. While there hadn't been "too many incidents of antisemitism" in London, he couldn't say it has become better, citing bomb threats at Jewish institutions.