Fibreoptic Cables in the Baltic Sea

"[The incidents are] a very clear sign that something is going on here."

"Nobody believes that these cables were accidentally severed."

"We have to state, without knowing exactly who it came from, that this is a hybrid action."

"We also have to assume ... that it is sabotage."

Boris Pistorius, German defence minister

The undersea cable between Helsinki and Rostock was laid in 2015   Getty Images

 

The C-Lion1, two undersea internet cables linking Finland and Germany, saw completion in 2016, a 1,175-kilometre undersea cable providing telecommunications connectivity between Central Europe and the Nordic countries. Germany's minister of defence stated that the two undersea internet cables disruption appear to have been deliberate acts of 'sabotage'. Tension are already high across eastern Europe and this incident will only serve to raise them even higher. 

The cable operator, Cinia, reported the underwater communications cable functioning to connect Finland and Germany had been severed early Monday. A separate communications cable linking Lithuania and Sweden, in the Baltic Sea as well, had sustained damage a day earlier. What precisely occurred with the two cables is not yet fully clear, but German defence minister Pistorius suspects the damage was deliberately inflicted.

 

The Finnish C-Lion1 cable operator, Cinia, stated that the 'cut' to its communications cable had been detected after 4:00 a.m. on Monday, east of the southern tip of the Swedish Island of Oland. A vessel was dispatched after due preparation, to repair the damage, while the firm is conducting an investigation. 

 

While the Finnish and German foreign ministers stated that they remained "deeply concerned", neither official assigned blame for the severed cable.

"The fact that such an incident immediately raises suspicions of intentional damage speaks volumes about the volatility of our times."

"Our European security is not only under threat from Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, but also from hybrid warfare by malicious actors."

Joint statement, Finnish and German foreign ministers

Rotary Foundation vs 101-year-old Philanthropic Benefactor

"I miss him very much. And as far as I'm concerned, we both decided this is the way we wanted the money to go to help people in our part of the world. I'm talking about real people in our part of the world who are helping our people and that's what he wanted."

"I can't believe that Rotary could be so mean and so greedy and tell lies about me."

"They never said they were sorry [when he died]. I just feel terrible about it."

"As far as I'm concerned, all they are doing is delay tactics asking how much money I have in the bank."

Mary McEachern, Widow, 101, Edmonton 

"As is often the case with many Rotary members, Mr. McEachern named The Rotary Foundation Canada as a beneficiary in his last will for the purpose of supporting Rotary's humanitarian programs."

"We regret that this issue is still with the courts and look forward to a timely and reasonable resolution while still honouring Mr. McEachern's lifelong dedication to Rotary."

Eva Vida, president, Rotary Foundation Canada

Mary and Steve McEachern were long-time philanthropists. Mary said Steve changed his mind late in life about which charities he wanted to donate his fortune to, but he died before he could amend his will. (Supplied)

Steve and Mary McEachern were lifelong major donors to the Rotary Foundation Canada. Working for Investors Group Wealth Management for 65 years, Steve McEachern made his fortune. As a longtime Rotarian and donor to multiple other charities, he held volunteer board positions. Rotary among them. According to Mary McEachern, she was deeply disappointed that despite her husband's involvement with the charity on many levels, there had never been a formal acknowledgement of his death at age 99 in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

His will had stipulated that the Rotary Foundation would be the sole beneficiary to his fortune of $40 million, aside from his widow's living expenses looked after by the estate. However, Mary McEachern explained her late husband's change of mind shortly prior to his death, and in that interim period had been unable to amend his will. The new plan was that the estate would be shared with numerous charities in Canada. Accordingly, Rotary Canad was offered $13 million, but they chose to challenge Mary's version of Steve's estate in court.

Understandably, it is Mary McEachern's desire that Rotary respect her late husband's decision, emphasizing that her husband's and her lifetime savings should be partitioned to support not just one charity whose work is done overseas, but to support numerous Canadian charities whose focus is within Canada itself. On Mary's death the plan they devised is to distribute the estate, sharing it with local and national charities, such as SARS, Hope Mission, Edmonton Humane Society, the Mustard Seed Foundation, The Salvation Army in Alberta and northern territories, St. John Council for Alberta, University Hospital Foundation, Edmonton Public Schools, Strathcona High School and a bursary in Mary's name for nursing graduate students at the University of Alberta.

The 101-year-old widow had plans to donate as well to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Alzheimer Society of Canada, Cowichan Valley Hospice Society, Heat and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Parkinson Canada, Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, CNIB Foundation, and Wings of Providence. A broad spectrum of Canadian charitable groups, all of which would be earmarked to share in the estate of her late husband. 

 

That Rotary refuses to consider the wishes of Mary McEachern speaking as her husband's confidant and inheritor, bespeaks a puzzling lack of ethical judgement.

Mary McEachern speaks of her husband's involvement with the Rotary Club Southside as a holder of board positions with the group, as well as with the University of Alberta Hospital Foundation. He had donated to the Air Force Commemorative Site at the Village at Griesback, AISH, Investment Club Prime Time Group, 4-H Foundation, Edmonton Community Foundation Scona Memorial for Veterans and others.

Mary McEachern, a 101-year-old widow, is in a legal battle with Rotary Foundation of Canada over her late husband's $40-million estate. Photo by Greg Southam /Postmedia

Russia's Barbaric Geothermal Drone Scheme

"We, from our side, must do everything so that next year this war ends by diplomatic means. This is very important." 

"This is their approach [the United States], their promise to their society [quick deal between Kyiv and Moscow], it is also very important to them. He [Trump] is on the side of supporting Ukraine, he appreciates our strength, integrity and courage."

"[Ukraine should not be] left alone with the Russian Federation [to craft a solution to the conflict]. For us, the victory means a strong Ukraine. Whether that's in diplomacy or on the battlefield is another question."

"But we have already proved that 'sit and listen' rhetoric does not work with us. Sitting, talking and agreeing on nothing -- this is what is beneficial for Putin."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

A Ukrainian soldier examines a thermobaric drone launched by Russia  AP

 

A small number of highly destructive thermobaric drones have been created by a high-tech factory in central Russia. The same factory also produces huge swarms of inexpensive decoys. The use of the drones -- both the destructive models, relatively few in number due to the expense of production and the decoys produced in much greater number are an expression of a new tactic devised by Moscow to overwhelm Kyiv, forcing it to respond to all the drones in fear of one of the thermobaric types wreaking chaos and greater deaths. In the process of responding, the plan is for Ukraine to unnecessarily, out of caution, use its dwindling stock of defensive weaponry to shoot down the drones, expending in the process defensive funding. 

Vladimir Putin's mission to destroy Ukraine and reap the benefits of acquiring more Ukrainian territory to be folded into Greater Russia doesn't leave much hope for Russia to become a willing partner for peace  until its objectives have been achieved. At which time Ukraine will be geographically eviscerated at the cost of more lives and ruined civic infrastructure. And while Kyiv is anxious to protect the lives of its citizens, the Kremlin seems disposed to consider its fighting men expendable, including the new contingents of North Korean fighters now under Russian command.

Russia calls its drone scheme Operation False Target, its intention is to force Ukraine to needlessly use its scarce resources to save lives and hope to spare further destruction of critical infrastructure. As for distinguishing the relatively harmless drones from their look-alike thermobaric drones, it cannot be done by radar and even electronics experts cannot distinguish which drones fleeting through the skies are the deadly ones. Russia's is a devilish plan to continue on its path of destruction in Ukraine. The first weekend of November saw 20 hours in the Kyiv region under air alert. In October some 1,889 drones were launched by Moscow.

Over 50% of the drones that target Ukraine are unarmed decoys with up to 75% being produced out of a factory in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Russia; a highly sensitive industry. A deadly variant of the Shahed unmanned aircraft is also produced at the same factory, armed with thermobaric warheads. These vacuum bombs create a vortex of high pressure and heat capable of penetrating the thickest walls while sucking out all the oxygen encountered in their path. When they strike buildings Alabuga's thermobaric drones are particularly deadly since they are loaded as well with ball bearings to cause massive damage beyond the superheated blast.

These deadly drones are estimated to make up between 3 and 5 percent of all drones. Their physical effects on people even outside the initial blast site, are grotesquely lethal; collapsed lungs, crushed eyeballs, brain damage included. The human toll is of little interest to Russia, however. They see great conflict benefits in the drones' use. An unarmed drone costs much less than the $50,000 to produce an armed Shahed drone. Decoys with live-feed cameras also have their special functions, allowing geolocation of Ukraine's air defences, relaying the information to Russia just before they crash.

 

DJI Matrice reconnaissance drones, bought during 'The Army of Drones' program, are set up ready for test flights in the Kyiv region, Ukraine. (Sergei Supinsky / AFP via Getty Images)

Claiming Race-Based Persecution

"These charges are significant and highlight the investigation's focus on individuals who planned, organized and sustained criminal activities, often using violence to maintain control."

These individuals came to our attention during criminal investigations that involved violent crimes including homicides and shootings."

Chief Eric Stubbs, Ottawa Police Service

"When you think about that many people involved in this trade, and this level of violence we see in our city, the shootings and what-have-you, we're hopeful we're going to see an immediate impact and see a decrease [in these criminal activities]."

"The arrests [I believe, would result in] a change in our environment in regards to the violence we're seeing."

Superintendent Jamie Dunlop, director of OPS serious and organized crime unit

"We are extremely aware of the devastating effects that illegal drugs can have on our neighbourhoods."

"Therefore, collaboration amongst police services is crucial in the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking."

OPP Inspector Michael Moore

Ontario Provincial Police Det.-Insp. Mike Moore, right, and Ottawa police Chief Eric Stubbs, centre, at a news conference about 'Project Champion.' (Michel Aspirot/CBC)

 

An explosion of serious crime has created a desperate situation in some neighbourhoods with far-reaching effects across Canada, strangely enough coinciding with the increased presence of Muslims in the Canadian population base. Among whom a significant number of people, albeit dare we hope, not representative of the total, have caused crime statistics to soar in Canadian cities and police forces extended to the limits of their capacity to respond. A propensity for violent crime, to which is added politically-based street demonstrations vehemently targeting Israel and Jews in Canada make this demographic rather less than desirable within a Canadian setting.

Invariably when daily news report erupt with stories of drug exchanges gone wrong, random shootings, gang violence and homicides, the names that are reported tend to be readily identifiable as coming from the Middle East or North Africa. Reports in the last several days in the nation's capital reveal that 17 individuals now face close to 150 criminal charges in relation to drug trafficking and violent crime, the result of one investigation alone, where arrests have taken place encompassing three different organized crime groups in the National Capital Region.

Multiple warrants were executed followed by arrests of leaders of crime networks in Ottawa and neighbouring Gatineau, Quebec. The investigation that led to these charges saw people facing charges for taking part in, or supporting the activities of a criminal gang. The Ontario Provincial Police investigation of 18 months duration was carried out jointly with the Ottawa Police Service. Five guns were seized, along with 6.5 kilograms of cocaine plus "a small amount" of crack cocaine. These are three distinct crime groups involved, with overlaps between them.

Following are the identities of those facing numerous criminal charges:

• Mussa Aden, 29, 6 charges;
• Yaheya Benamiar, 26, 4 charges;
• Aaron Decastro-Singh, 39, 2 charges;
• Faisal Fareed, 28, 19 charges;
• Ahmed Hassan, 30, 4 charges;
• Bayle Khandid, 31, 7 charges;
• Bile Khandid, 33, 6 charges;
• Yasin Mohamed, 36, 4 charges;
• Tyson Morris, 35, 16 charges;
• Ibtisam Rijal Hersi, 27, 4 charges;
• Moussa Salleh Ali, 35, 5 charges;
• Abdullahi Shaheen 28, 33 charges;
• Kalif Shahreen, 29, 17 charges;
• Yussuf Tarabi, 35, 7 charges;
• Abdulaziz Warsame, 30, 7 charges;
• Leban Xadi, 29, 6 charges;
• Darioush Yavari, 31, 2 charges.

Bayle Khandid and Bile Khandid were linked as family members of two currently-serving officers with the Ottawa Police Service. As for the serving officers, they are linked to an problematical $2.5 million lawsuit that alleges the OPS had wiretapped and surveilled five of its Somali officers. Hardly surprising given the familial links to close family members engaged in crime, but in this current era of DEI/Woke/Critical Race Theory moral fog obviously grounds for a sympathetic hearing as a racist witch-hunt.

Two of five Somali officers, first cousins Liban Farah and Mohamed Islam, have alleged that they were subjected to surveillance on the basis of their race, linked to anti-racism efforts within the force, as also being 'first cousins' to 'gang-affiliated' Bile Khandid and Bayle Khandid. Claims by Farah that he had disclosed that connection on joining the guns and gangs unit in 2018 form part of the lawsuit.

 

Islam had been ordered to attend the police station at a time when he was on parental leave, and there questioned with respect to Bile and Bayle. He responded that he "was aware of their criminal lifestyle, and that he had no relationship with them and had not seen or spoken to them in many years". Clearly putting them all out of commission and securely incarcerated will have some measure of impact on the crime scene, but too great an expectation of making a difference seems unwarranted, since there are more than enough others willing and eager to take their place.

Ottawa Police Service Chief Eric Stubbs speaking at a news conference Thursday in Ottawa. Ottawa police said 14 people had been arrested and three more were being sought in an investigation into alleged organized crime and narcotics trafficking. Police said a total of 149 charges had been laid in the investigation, dubbed Project Champion, including some for attempted murder, drug trafficking and assault. Photo by Tony Caldwell /POSTMEDIA

Canada, Threats From Within

"It is becoming increasingly clear that Canada is a  high priority target for ISIS-inspired terrorists." 

"[The Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security must be convened for an emergency session to probe] this most recent foiled terror attack."

"They [two young men in their teens] are alleged to have formed a plan last fall to violently attack Jewish persons in Ottawa, possibly through the detonation of an explosive device at a pro-Israel rally."

Conservative members of the Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security

The Parliament Hill bomb plot is only the latest in a string of arrests related to domestic terror plots with Islamist or anti-Israel motives. Photo by Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press

 

Look no further than the unwieldy numbers of immigrants, refugees and illegal migrants that have penetrated Canadian society at every level; Muslims emanating from Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Sudan, Yemen and Afghanistan, and most particularly from Gaza, for starters. By no means all of these people who have entered Canada, legally and illegally, but the jihad-inspired, Jew-hating contingent and their imported Mullahs whose Friday mosque sermons and prayers urge the faithful to be true to the passages in the Koran describing Jews as the enemy, along with 'crusaders' and kafirs.

A broad import of a searing antisemitism into Canadian society that sees younger generations being taught to view Jews as usurpers of Arab land in 'Palestine', occupiers of land consecrated to Islam, turning the sacred into a sacrilegious presence of enemies of the Prophet Mohammed, routed from Medina in the 17th century, the presence of whom in modern times must meet the same fate. And to Jew-haters in Canada that translates as Canadian Jews being threatened, harassed and tormented by those who abhor their presence in the Middle East, and anywhere else the diaspora has settled.

The wild celebrations in the streets of Canada led by Israel-and-Jew-haters, organized by Arabs, Muslims and Palestinians in Canada over the admired success of Palestinian terrorists in the slaughter of 1,200 mostly civilian Israelis during the October 7, 2023 invasion of southern Israel by tens of thousands of terrorists led by Hamas, and the follow-up marches and demonstrations in honour of and defense of Palestinian terrorism has roiled Canada as it has elsewhere around the world for over a year, in the face of government inaction.

 

While the Liberal government of prime minister Justin Trudeau has repeatedly declared that 'this is not who we are', in responding to the attacks on synagogues, Jewish schools, community centres and privately-owned Jewish business, it clearly is what  we are becoming under the auspices of a government that fails to care enough about the fate of Canadian Jews, oppressed, discriminated against, and threatened, to apply Canada's laws on hate-mongering. The opposition Conservative Party on the other hand, has reacted as a responsible government should.

 

Ottawa Pro-Palestinian Rally, CTV News

The latest report of  terrorist activity in Canada itself is that of the arrest of two Ottawa teens, charged with plotting a deadly attack against pro-Israel demonstrators who came out to Parliament Hill in defence of Israel and of Canadian Jews. A Department of Justice court filing declares that the boys were in possession of the constituents of explosive devices; acetone, oxidizer, metal ball bearings. The December 2023 arrest of a 15-year-old terror suspect came with a report that a Facebook account in the father's name was rife with extremist rhetoric, calls to 'get rid' of Israelis among them.

 

RCMP anti-terror investigators in July arrested a father-son duo planning a "serious, violent attack in Toronto". Ahmed Eldidi and Mostafa Eldidi saw arrest in Richmond Hill, in the "advanced stages" of planning an attack. Pakistani national Muhammad Shahzeb Khan was arrested in September as part of a US. investigation of his intention to stage a terrorist attack against a New York City Jewish site, timed to mark the one-year anniversary of the October 7 massacres attributed largely to Hamas.

"The defendant is alleged to have planned a terrorist attack in New York City around October 7th of this year with the stated goal of slaughtering, in the name of ISIS, as many Jewish people as possible."

U.S. Attorney General Merrick R. Garland

Following a wave of shooting attacks and attempted arsons of Jewish sites, Toronto police arrested Helder Antonio De Ameida in connection with a shooting attack on Bais Chaya Mushka Elementary School for girls. De Ameida was accused of firing multiple shots into the school on October 12; found at the site were 14 shell casings. A 17-year-old accomplice was arrested along with De Amida.  In Israel in July, Zacharea Adam Quraishi of Alberta was shot dead by the Israel Defense Forces as he threatened them with a knife, rushing at armed guards outside the gates of the Israeli village of Netiv Ha'asara, screaming "Free Palestine".

To Muslims in Canada as Elsewhere Peace is Disingenuously what Conflict Is, Justice to Them Injustice to Others

"The OCDSB is conducting a thorough investigation into this issue to ensure it is addressed appropriately and meaningfully."

"Student well-being is our priority and we are committed to ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for all students."

"In order to ensure the integrity of the investigation, we will not be commenting further on this matter until the investigation is complete."

Ottawa-Carleton District School Board superintendent of instruction, Walter Piovesan

"The selective outrage and swift backlash reveal a troubling double standard that unfairly targets Palestinian and Arabic cultural expression, framing it as inherently controversial or politically charged."

"[The principal's response] reveals an underlying bias that labels Arabic expression as inappropriate in spaces intended to promote inclusivity and unity, while political calls to dismiss those who embrace diverse voices threaten educators' freedom to genuinely foster inclusivity."

"This prejudice not only marginalizes the Palestinian community further but also undermines Canada's professed commitment to multicultural inclusivity."

Jamila Ewais, spokesperson, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East

"Remembrance Day is about showing gratitude for Fallen Canadian Veterans, not other causes."

"We invite all educators to refer to our new guide so that they can be sure they are following appropriate protocols when planning a Remembrance Day ceremony, including when it comes to music."

Nujma Bond, national spokesperson, Royal Canadian Legion

Frosty poppies sit atop a tombstone on Remembrance Day at the National Military Cemetery in Ottawa. Photo by Sean Kilpatrick /THE CANADIAN PRESS

 

Students of all grade levels on Remembrance Day just past were exposed on three separate occasions at Sir Robert Borden school (named after the Prime Minister who represented Canada during the First World War) in which an Arabic-language anti-Israel, pro-Hamas song popularized in the months following the barbaric attacks on southern Israel by thousands of Palestinian terrorists on October 7 2023, symbolizing, according to the school principal, 'inclusivity and unity' in place of the fusty old white-soldiers protocol followed traditionally for the annual remembrance ceremony.

Upset students and their parents reacted negatively to this surprise replacement of content reflecting remembrance of wars gone by and those who courageously fought for liberty, justice, equality and democracy. The complaints of inappropriate choices by the school administration for the sober and sad event led to the school principal apologizing, no doubt admonished by the school board which itself has launched an investigation of the sensibilities-assaulting event. Initially, when some of the students approached the principal to launch their personal complaints the response was that in the interests of inclusion the program changed from honouring 'white men involved in the military'.

That this happens to be a school with a large Jewish student contingent upon whom a song that celebrates yet another lethal Palestinian offensive against Jewish civilians in Israel, represented an exercise in malevolent mischief. The school principal, Aaron Hobbs wrote: "The inclusion of a song that could be seen as politically charged was not in line with the values of respect and unity that we strive to uphold at this school."  As opposed to his earlier statement of the purpose of Remembrance Day being about "a white guy who has done something related to the military".

Member of provincial parliament for the riding of Nepean where the school sits, called for the principal who made this decision to downplay respect for Canada's veterans -- the very purpose of Remembrance Day -- to be disciplined. It was her hope that the school board's thorough investigation  was seriously meant. "If this is just an attempt to suffocate the story and contain public input then we will not be any further ahead and that will be regret[able]", she stated.

A number of students had taken the initiative to do a little detective work to trace the song, using a phone app that took them to music platforms that featured artwork of Palestinian protests and songs written by Mahim Ahmed that are highly political. As was the song Haza Salam, translated as 'This is Peace' which has become identified with Palestinian protests of Israel and the conflict in Gaza.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board said it is conducting a 'thorough investigation' into the including of an Arabic song during a Remembrance Day ceremony at Sir Robert Borden High School earlier this week. (Google Maps)

Remembrance Day too Is Claimed by the Muslim/Palestinian Lobby

"It has come to my attention that the inclusion of the song "Haza Salam' in the program caused significant distress to some members of our school community. For this, I would like to offer my apologies."

"We acknowledge that Remembrance Day is a solemn occasion, where the focus should remain on honouring those who have sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we hold dear."

"The inclusion of a song that could be seen as politically charged was not in line with the values of respect and unity that we strive to uphold at this school." 

"We recognize that the song chosen -- while intended to highlight themes of peace -- also inadvertently caused offence and discomfort to some students, and for that, we regret our choice."

Sir Robert Borden school principal Aaron Hobbs, letter to parents

"It is hard to believe I'm hearing this at an assembly in Canada for Remembrance Day."

"It was weird. I was confused. What is this song saying?"

Unnamed student

"There was only one song. There were no other ethnic songs, or other songs, just one. It was played three times."

"They chose an Arabic song about peace for Gaza as the only song to play for a Remembrance Day service."

Unnamed parent

"I have a great uncle who was in the war, in the air force, and he was shot down over Italy and taken prisoner. This service took away from the events of the war, it took away for the sacrifices of my great uncle and others. I became very emotional."

"This day is supposed to be about remembrance. When I think of everything my uncle went through and still survived and went on to raise a family -- my child got none of that at school today."

"It [the school Remembrance Day ceremony] ignored my great uncle's memory. It is not inclusive when  you are excluding others."

Erica Phillips, mother of student enrolled in the school

 

The school principal, when first approached for an explanation, seemed fairly flippant, saying that the song had been recommended to him by one of his teaching staff, and that in the interests of inclusiveness he felt it was a good idea to give it air, to the exclusion of any other music to highlight the traditional Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11. It was, in fact, a Palestinian protest anthem, closely associated with the anti-Israel movement. On YouTube, recordings are accompanied by "Free Palestine" imagery. You can't get more exclusionary and political than that.

While defending the song's premier place on the school's program for Remembrance Day as a method of bringing "diversity and inclusion" to the ceremony, the resulting push-back from parents and local MPP Lisa MacLeod, and perhaps a bit of a talk-to from school board administrators who view this as  yet another headache in  the public eye, he reverted to an attitude that appears on the surface to be contrite. MPP MacLeod wrote on Facebook in condemnation of the situation: "To my Jewish constituents, I am sorry your kids are going through this."

 

The decision to use an Arabic-language Palestinian protest song for the Remembrance Day presentation soundtrack certainly did not sit well with Jewish students, nor their parents, and possibly other Canadian traditionalists who honour Canada's war dead and its veterans. A slide show of Canadian soldiers and expressions of peace had the song, Haza Salam (This is Peace) as the background music for different student age groups in three distinct ceremonies at the school. Some of the Jewish students complained to the principal following the event. 

But the principal chose to defend the selection, stating the purpose of diversity and inclusion to an annual event usually featuring "a white guy who has done something related to the military" was a prompt. A 'closed door' meeting soon afterward appeared to have influenced the man to send the school community an email of apology. A few students had made use of a phone app to find the song on music platforms with artwork of Palestinian protests.

 

The song by Mahim Ahmed was released shortly following the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks on southern Israel, led by Hamas. It is identified with protests by Palestinians centering around Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza between the Israel Defense Forces and Palestinian terrorist groups like Islamic Jihad, PLFP and Hamas. And by extension, Hezbollah in Lebanon. Versions of the song online featured in videos show montages of photographs of Gaza casualties, along with Palestinian protests. There is no one in Canada innocent of the knowledge of Palestinian victimhood protests.

"No one would allow a song in Hebrew to be played, even if it was called Shalom (Peace), at a Canadian Remembrance Day ceremony."

"It should have been a song in English or French or an Indigenous language."

"Something is wrong at the top."

Unnamed (Jewish) parent

When principal Hobbs was approached by Jewish students who reproached him for the inclusion of an Arab protest-against-Israel song at a Canadian war memorial event, he defended the choice by disagreeing that there was any problem with the song and its central place in the ceremony. The song, explained Lisa MacLeod MPP for the riding of Nepean, failed to agree with the Royal Canadian Legion protocols, besides being distressing to Jewish students.

 

She described speaking with the director of the school board where she "shared my anger, disappointment and, honestly, utter confusion on how Remembrance Day at a school whose namesake was prime minister in World War 1 could get this so wrong." And she took the further step of recommending disciplinary action against the principal. 

 

Hear, hear! Apology and dismissal would do nicely to begin with. MPP MacLeod describes the situation as a “politically charged” move that was “done at the most populated Jewish school in Ottawa”. Unfortunately, the Muslim Advisory Council of Canada and Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East do not agree.

"The selective outrage and swift backlash reveal a troubling double standard that unfairly targets Palestinian and Arabic cultural expression, framing it as inherently controversial or politically charged."

"[The song’s title translates to] This is Peace [and its selection] does not equate to endorsing a political stance."

Jamila Ewais, CJPME Foundation’s anti-racism program

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board said it is conducting a 'thorough investigation' into the including of an Arabic song during a Remembrance Day ceremony at Sir Robert Borden High School earlier this week. (Google Maps)