Lower Mainland memorials planned to mark anniversary of Oct. 7 attacks

The Metro Vancouver Jewish community will mark the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel with a memorial on Monday evening.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver (JFGV) says the event will honour the victims of the attacks.

“We come together in pain for all the losses and in hope for healing and the return of the remaining hostages,” a statement on the organization’s website shared.

The Oct. 7, 2023 attack killed more than 1,200 Israelis, while another 250 were abducted and held as hostages, triggering an Israeli counter-offensive in Gaza that the health ministry there says has left more than 41,000 people dead.

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The war has had far-reaching effects around the world and in Canada, including families grieving loved ones who were killed, hundreds of protests resulting in arrests, pro-Palestinian encampments at universities, and a spike in reports of hate crimes against Jews and Muslims.

The JFGV says “enhanced security measures” will be in place, including registration and ID checks and a ban on backpacks, bags, and purses.

“Disruptive behaviour during the event will result in immediate removal at the discretion of event organizers, security, and law enforcement. Additionally, entry may be denied based on our assessment of potential security risks.”

The event is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m., but the location is being kept under wraps, and not widely revealed ahead of time.

On an emotionally charged day, the Vancouver Police Department says it is stepping up security measures at some faith-based institutions.

“We will provide a highly visible police presence at various places of worship, community centres and gathering places,” said VPD Chief Adam Palmer during a Friday news conference.

“Uniformed school liaison officers will be positioned at some faith-based schools during pick-up and drop-off times on October 7. They will maintain a high visibility presence to reassure parents and students and keep people safe.”

There will be increased patrols throughout the day near synagogues, mosques, and other community spaces and Palmer said the VPD is also working with Metro Vancouver Transit Police to step up patrols in and around SkyTrain stations.

“Our VPD mobile command centre has been staged outside the Jewish Community Centre at Oak Street and West 41st Avenue … a public safety trailer is positioned at a Vancouver synagogue, featuring 360-degree cameras that record 24 hours a day. Their main function is to deter crime, however, the recordings can be used as evidence if crimes occur,” he explained.

“Members of our Muslim and West Asian communities are also hurting. For some, their sense of safety and belonging has been impacted by Islamophobia. Things like hateful encounters with strangers and hurtful graffiti written on walls of schools and community centres,” he added.

“To be clear, we serve everyone in our community and I am committed to making sure everyone, regardless of their race, religion, language or culture, feels safe.”

To that end, Palmer indicated the VPD strategy is meant to provide “a sense of reassurance, calm, comfort and safety.”

Protests are also planned to express solidarity with the Palestinian people around Canada. Pro-Palestinian group Samidoun is planning a rally in Vancouver on Monday afternoon. Rallies and protests were also held around the world at the weekend leading up to Oct. 7, including massive events in European cities and marches and vigils in Canada. While in Paris on Saturday for a Francophonie summit, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East.

Israel has also recently been going after multiple Hezbollah targets in suburban Beirut in Lebanon and began a ground incursion. An airstrike hit a Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon as Israel targeted both Hezbollah and Hamas fighters.

Iran, which helps arm and finance both Hamas and Hezbollah, launched at least 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday.