Dear friends,

The last few days have been very difficult for a lot of members in our community, particularly those of Jewish and Palestinian ties.

What occurred on October 7th was not only a tragic event, but it also marked the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust. We must continue to condemn it.

My heart goes out to every Jewish and Palestinian individual mourning a family member, a friend, a loved one. Canada mourns the loss of Canadians who were lost in Israel and Gaza.

During times of war, children stand to lose so much, and it is evident that Israel's response on Gaza has led to widespread atrocities that violate established rules of warfare and international law.

I still vividly recall my earliest memory of war; it lives inside my body forever, I was three years old. The nights were filled with sounds of grenades and gunshots, and I remember my mother falling on top of me, shielding me from harm. I remember my first sleep in our new home in Canada where I didn't have to worry about war or fleeing, and how hard I worked to make my new reality feel normal. It was messy and complicated. Wars have horrible outcomes for kids; I know, I’ve been there.

I must insist that we use our voices in a sound and kind way. Many people are hurting. We need more voices of reason in this moment, to ask that international laws be respected, for both Israeli and Palestinian civilians to have the right to be protected, and for both parties to reach peace, for everyone involved.

In 1994, during the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the world lacked courage to say something, to stop the killing of more than a million people in 100 days. I was four years old, this memory continue to live inside of me; the fear that the world could watch in a similar manner haunts me. I have never navigated leadership in conflicts, I’ve only learned to survive them and I am learning lot.

I’ve learned a lot from my conversations with the leadership in the Jewish and Muslim communities in the last few days. As your MP, I vow to continue to advocate for you, to listen to you, to be a voice of reason and ensure both communities feel safe in our city. This is the only way we ensure that the sentiment of ‘never again’ becomes reality for all.

Israel needs to end the current siege causing a lack of food, water, and electricity in Gaza, and give time and passage for civilians to safely leave the area. This must be done to ensure that we prevent mass atrocities. People cannot move from northern Gaza to southern Gaza in time. Pregnant women, children, people with disabilities, elders, and people in hospitals will not make it and the international law must be respected to protect them.

We must act to protect all civilians, both Israeli and Palestinian people.

Human rights must be kept at the core of who we are and Israel needs to do the right thing!

These are undeniably challenging and emotional times in our communities. Gathering together to mourn and support one another is not only needed but strongly encouraged. As Canadians, it's crucial that we hold onto the core of our values, which are deeply enriched by our diversity. Let's be mindful that our children are watching, and the actions we take today will influence them for years to come. Let's not lose sight of what truly matters; our community is strong and we will get through this together.

With love,

Arielle Kayabaga                                           Member of Parliament                                  London West