October 7, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement marking one year since Hamas’s terrorist attacks against Israel:

“Today we commemorate one year since Hamas’s horrific terrorist attack on October 7.

“One year since innocent people were murdered only because they were Israeli in what constituted the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Nothing can justify the violence and terror unleashed that day, and nothing can take away the pain from that day.

“We remember those who were murdered, as well as those injured and those taken hostage. Canada mourns victims of our own among the innocent people killed by Hamas: Judih Weinstein, Vivian Silver, Ben Mizrachi, Netta Epstein, Shir Georgy, Alexandre Look and Adi Vital-Kaploun, as well as those with strong ties to Canada, including Tiferet Lapidot.

“We also remember those who suffered horrific acts of sexual and gender-based violence by Hamas, and we remember those who bore witness to those unspeakable acts of violence.

“It has been one year, and innocent people are still being held hostage by Hamas. Their friends and families await their return in unimaginable pain.

“Canada will not stop calling for the immediate release of each person who is still unjustifiably held hostage by terrorists. This includes returning the bodies of those brutally killed while in captivity: families must be able to bury their loved ones in peace and dignity.

“We must all stand up to the rising tide of antisemitism and hate we see in our own country that has only worsened since October 7.

“Canada continues to unequivocally condemn Hamas, a listed terrorist organization backed by Iran, in the strongest possible terms. Far too many civilians have been killed in this conflict, and Canada will continue to work tirelessly with its partners to bring peace and security to the Middle East and remain committed to working towards an irreversible path to achieving a two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians can live securely within internationally recognised borders.

Today, as we remember and reflect let us not lose sight of our shared humanity and the future that is possible for this generation and those who will follow.