We need to smarten up. Foreign wars do not belong on Canadian streets. Thankfully those Canadians of Russian heritage, as a group, are not fond of Russian President Vladimir Putin. They don’t like his war on the Ukraine. And they undoubtedly realize how they are outnumbered in Canada by the Canadians of Ukrainian heritage. It leaves our government free to aid Ukraine in its valiant effort to ward off Putin’s army.
But we are not as lucky with the Middle East. With the increased immigration of followers of Islam, today, they outnumber Jewish Canadians by about three to one. Luckily the Jewish population is more integrated with those of European origin and they have been known to fight well over their weight class. While a few of the foolish among us might act on their sick antisemitism, I would strongly advise against it.
And the those who want to parade in support of the Palestinians of Gaza would be far wiser to make a donation to the Red Crescent. While not to disparage the efforts of the United Nations in Gaza, the Red Crescent are on the ground and are trying to do the humanitarian job. (I am sure that the Red Cross in Canada is a reliable conduit for donations to the Red Crescent.)
Those who are proud of their parading around Nathan Phillips Square or in front of the American consulate on University Avenue in Toronto in support of Hamas don’t realize the problems they are creating for their fellow emigres. The thing is that the only times you want to gather in large numbers in Nathan Phillips Square are for entertainments, winning sports teams and when the Toronto Maple Leaf team is on the ice rink.
One of the main concerns is for those Middle East immigrants who continue to wear the traditional garments of the desert. As an idiosyncrasy, a fashion statement or a financial necessity, this traditional garb is a label that is not in fashion in Canada at this time.
It might attract some unwanted attention when tempers are inflamed about the tactics of terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah. All who come to Canada for sanctuary, should feel safe. We live together in peace.
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Copyright 2023 © Peter Lowry
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