Joel Goldenberg – The Suburban LJI Reporter

The Association of Suburban Municipalities, comprised of the demerged Montreal island cities and towns, has condemned the Hamas atrocities carried out against Israel. In a statement the ASM wrote,”The assaults perpetrated by Hamas are horrifying and shocking. Such atrocity and violence are completely unacceptable and must be condemned. They go against the peace and safety of all people living in the area.”

Men, women, children were mutilated and murdered, including beheadings, women were raped and more than 100 people were kidnapped and are being held in Gaza,

The statement added that the terrorist group “is destroying all hope and effort for a calm and wise path towards security and prosperity in the region. It is doing a disservice to the people it claims to defend, but rather promotes the interests of terrorist regimes and forces that have their own agenda.

“The disturbing images that we have seen in recent days – and which unfortunately continue to surface by the hour – have affected us deeply. We are devastated for all the children, families and civilians impacted by this pain, terror, and violence. These acts of horror and terror must be denounced.”

The ASM also declared that it stands in solidarity “with our friends and neighbors who are upset by the large-scale terrorist attacks that have taken place in Israel.

“We condemn the heinous and violent acts of aggression perpetrated by Hamas on innocent human beings, and our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We must also denounce the rallies that took place last weekend and celebrated the murder of innocent human beings. This is unacceptable! Our priority now is to support affected residents and families, and to keep the peace within our own communities.”

The ASM includes Montreal West, Côte St. Luc, Hampstead, Westmount, Kirkland, Pointe Claire, Town of Mount Royal, Dollard des Ormeaux, Beaconsfield, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Dorval, Dorval Island, Baie D’Urfé, Sennevile and Montreal East.