Jewish and Palestinian communities in Alberta react to violence in Israel

globalnews.ca:

Israel by air, land and sea.Millions of Israelis in the country’s south awoke to incoming rockets and the inevitable thud of impact. Air raid sirens wailed as far north as Tel Aviv.

Israel’s anti-rocket interceptors thundered in Jerusalem.Armed Hamas fighters blew up parts of Israel’s highly fortified separation fence and strode into Israeli communities along the Gaza frontier, engaging with residents and trading fire with Israeli soldiers.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel was “at war” and called for a mass mobilization of army reserves. The invasion revived memories of the 1973 war practically 50 years to the day.As of Sunday, the death toll in Israel has reached at least 600 people, according to government numbers, with more than 100 believed to be kidnapped and more than 2,000 people injured.Officials in Gaza say at least 370 people have died in the territory as well.This comes as many Jewish families celebrated Sukkot and Simchat Torah on Saturday, wrapping up the High Holy Days.Tensions between Israel and the Palestinians have existed since before the area was divided into Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip by a United Nations’ decision in 1947.

Throughout the decades, Palestinians and Israel have claimed historical title to the same lands.In a statement posted on Facebook, the Calgary Jewish Federation said it stands with Israel and prays for the safety of Israeli citizens.“Whatever is happening over there is despicable. There is no call for it, no cause for it, no reason for it,” Adam Silver, chief executive officer of the Calgary Jewish Federation, told Global News.“People in Calgary and around the world are in fear for their family, their colleagues … It’s terror.