People gather to honour victims from Gaza conflict in Saskatoon

A couple dozen people gathered by the Vimy Memorial in Saskatoon at a vigil to honour the victims lost in the Gaza conflict from both Israel and Palestine.

At the vigil there was a call for the Canadian Government to call for a ceasefire and to implement the International Law as a basis to end the conflict.

Professor Ahmad Al-Dissi, was at the vigil and explained the message they hope to spread.

“The dehumanization of Palestinians and the dehumanization of Israelis should stop, we are all humans,” said Al-Dissi. “Humanity unites us all whether we like it or not.”

Al-Dissi said it’s important for Canada to implement the International Law.

“We would like the Federal Government to be fair because being fair to both sides helps both sides,” said Al-Dissi. “If Canada is biased, it doesn’t help Israel, it doesn’t help Palestine and it doesn’t help Canada.”

Al-Dissi said his family is mainly in East Jerusalem and people in East Jerusalem live in fear of Israel demolishing their homes.

Al-Dissi also said he has friends in Gaza, but also says they are not planning on evacuating.

The planned ground invasion on Gaza has Al-Dissi feeling only the worst can come.

“If the ground invasion happens and Israel doesn’t go back to its senses there will be a massive loss of life,” said Al-Dissi.

Ahmed Qudih recently moved to Saskatoon eight months ago from Gaza.

Qudih said the ongoing situation in Gaza has been extremely difficult for him as he has family there.

“So far I have been totally unable to reach my family because there is no internet, no electricity and basically no communication,” said Qudih. “The people in Gaza do not have a future, they are suffering and they do not see an end to this conflict.”

Israel’s military has ordered hundreds of thousands of civilians living in Gaza to evacuate before the Israeli ground invasion.