Canada Sees Support Rallies After Hamas Attack on Israel; Celebrations Reported from Sweden, Germany | WATCH

Canada witnessed celebratory rallies late on Saturday (October 7) after the Hamas militant group ruling the Gaza Strip launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing more than 200 people and leaving thousands injured. A video, shared by news aggregator Visegrad 24 and released by Rebel News Canada, showed people on trucks and cars shouting slogans and carrying the Palestine flag.

More such videos and images of celebrations in other countries like Sweden, Germany and Turkey are also doing the rounds on social media. In fact, police in the UK have stepped up vigil and tightened security at Jewish religious places after celebratory incidents were reported in London.

Visegrad 24 said such incidents can be seen in many cities in western Europe and North America, while a Twitter user slammed “Trudeau’s Canada” for “supporting” such “horrendous terror attacks”. Sharing the video on X, the user, called Dr Eli David, said: “Celebrations in Trudeau’s Canada in support of the horrendous terror attacks. How is your multiculturalism going?”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has, however, strongly condemned the “terrorist attack against Israel”. He said: “…These acts of violence are completely unacceptable. We stand with Israel and fully support its right to defend itself. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this. Civilian life must be protected.”

The Canadian government, however, is yet to respond to reports of people celebrating the Hamas attack. Trudeau has recently been heavily criticised by India for “encouraging” pro-Khalistan sentiment in the name of free speech. Diplomatic relations between Canada and India are at an all-time low after Trudeau alleged that agents of the Indian government were possibly involved in the killing of known Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.

Visegrad 24 also released videos from celebrations in German capital Berlin and Malmo in Sweden.

“Hamas supporters gather on the streets of Berlin, Germany to celebrate the attack against Israel,” Visegrad 24 said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Germany, infamous for the historical persecution of Jews as well as antisemitism perpetuated by Nazi ideology, has stepped up security arrangements at Israeli and Jewish institutions. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has supported Israel’s right to defend itself against “barbaric attacks” and “to protect its citizens and to pursue the attackers”.

“Hamas supporters in Malmo, Sweden use fireworks to celebrate yesterday’s attack on Israel,” it said on X while sharing a video.

Sweden has said there are no excuses for such “violent attacks”.

Another Twitter user shared a purported video of celebrations in Turkey’s Istanbul, claiming that the government had arranged the victory rally. “Last night in #Istanbul, Turkish government held a victory celebration and rally in which thousands of supporters of #Erdogan attended and celebrated massacre of Israeli civilians by #Hamas. People requested #Turkish Army to send troops to #Israel to help #Hamas terrorists. Just listen to their slogans,” the user said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas “to support peace” and refrain from harming civilians. “There is no good in (attacking) civilians,” Erdogan said as all-out war raged around Gaza. “We are ready to do everything to reduce the tensions… We invite all the actors to support peace.”

(With agency inputs)