Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter
A gathering led by Dr.Paul Saba’s Christian Coalition for Israel was held on Sunday at Place du Canada Park in downtown Montreal. Dr.Saba is the founder of Physicians for Social Justice. Religious leaders and concerned citizens spoke out in solidarity with the Jewish community following the terrorist attacks led by Hamas last week on innocent Israeli citizens as well as Canadian and American visitors to the country.
Prayers, songs and reflections took place throughout the two-hour gathering. Dozens of participants wore Christian Coalition for Israel t-shirts designed with a dove and Star of David intertwined signifying peace and solidarity with Israel.
“If you remain silent in the face of evil, then you are accepting and condoning evil. I cannot remain silent when I see evil acts committed,” Dr. Saba said. “I believe every life is valuable and Jewish lives deserve to be protected and the state of Israel must be defended.”
Remembrances were shared of five Canadians that were confirmed dead as of Sunday afternoon including 33-year old Montrealer Alexandre Look who was brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists while attending a music festival.
The “Our Father” prayer was led by Montreal artist Lisa Hanash and recited by the majority of attendees. “Israel and the Jewish people need our support, our intercession, they need our prayers.” Pastor Jacques Isaac Gabizon told the crowd as he led them into prayer.
“Who kidnaps an 85-year old woman, who kidnaps a baby, who burns babies, who does that?” Rabbi Reuben Poupko exhorted. “Evil flourishes when good people are silent. We are not silent. We want peace but unfortunately there are some people who do not want that and that’s what we are united to stand up against.”
Several masked men waving Palestinian flags appeared across the street shouting anti-Israel slogans at the Christian Coalition gatherers. Montreal police intervened as one of the men crossed the road and began filming the crowd, approaching attendees in a provocative and intimidating manner.