Security worries mount in Canada as ex-Hamas chief calls for protests. What to know
globalnews.caA call for demonstrations across the Muslim world Friday in support of Palestinians is causing security worries among Jewish organizations in Canada.
It came from Khaled Meshaal, a former leader of the group Hamas, which carried out a surprise weekend attack against Israel that has shaken the Middle East and the world.
Tel Aviv has responded with relentless airstrikes against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and Israeli officials have suggested a ground offensive is imminent, which may escalate the conflict further.
The assault by Hamas – a listed terrorist entity in countries like Canada and the United States – has resulted in worldwide demonstrations by both pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrators. But Meshaal’s call, which included an ask for neighbouring countries to join in the fight against Israel, is causing security worries in Canada.
“We ask for the community to exercise a heightened degree of healthy vigilance and situational awareness,” the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto said in a security update Wednesday.
“Extra attention should be paid by Jewish institutions to ensuring all security protocols are being followed, particularly regarding access controls and doors that should remain locked.”
Meshaal, who currently heads Hamas’ diaspora office and is based in Qatar, issued the protest call in a recorded statement sent to Reuters Wednesday.
“(We must) head to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world on Friday,” he said, adding the governments and peoples of Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt have a bigger duty to support the Palestinians.
“Tribes of Jordan, sons of Jordan, brothers and sisters of Jordan… This is a moment of truth and the borders are close to you, you all know your responsibility,”
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