As conflict continues to expand in the Middle East, Manitoba communities with close ties to the region say they’re holding their breath.
“This is very concerning to us for obvious reasons. First and foremost, there is the possibility of war,” said Arian Arianpour, president of the Iranian Community of Manitoba.
Ruth Ashrafi, B’Nai Brith’s regional director in Manitoba, echoed Aryanpour’s concerns. “We all have our hearts in our throats… We are very concerned, and our community here is also very concerned.”
On Tuesday night, nearly a year after Hamas attacked Israel, the world watched Iran launch a barrage of missiles against the nation.
Brian Peeler, a political scientist, said this could lead to a horrific future.
“Escalation in the conflict is entirely possible. I mean, the Israeli government said, you know, like yesterday, Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran made a big mistake and that it will pay the price for it.”
But overall, “we don’t know what’s going to happen here.”
Ashrafi and Aryanpour say the communities they represent feel deep uncertainty, as their loved ones try to live with the increasing violence.
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“Iranian Canadians living in Canada, or expatriates around the world, usually have extended family or friends in Iran,” Aryanpour said.
“We are worried about our well-being. We are worried about the terrible pressure they are under,” Ashrafi added. “Last week, my friends became the proud grandparents of a baby boy. The circumcision ceremony, which is usually a large festive feast…is held in a sanctuary.”
Beller said it was not clear what Iran could contribute to the conflict, and noted that the Lebanon-based terrorist group involved in the fighting may be weakened as its military leadership diminishes.
He added that there is still an unknown that weighs heavily on the Middle East, and it may be up to other countries to change that.
He said: “The United States has called for a ceasefire in the past few months… The United Kingdom, France, Canada and other countries are calling for a ceasefire, and it seems that this is not stopping the Netanyahu government.”
“Other countries have halted supplies of certain weapons to Israel in response to what happened. But the Americans are the ones who actually have this influence, and they seem unwilling to use it, and the Israeli government seems unwilling to listen to the Americans. “This increases the risk of escalation in the region.”
Throughout all of this, the Israeli and Iranian communities are calling for a solution not to be associated with the actions of either government.
This is not the Iranian people’s war. It is very important to understand that this is a war – if it happens – that the Islamic Republic regime is imposing on the region. “It is important to distinguish between the Iranian people and (their) government,” Aryanpour said.
“We would like to see a region where everyone can live in peace through an understanding of coexistence.”
Ashrafi said to remember that conflict affects all people affected by conflict.
“People who have families in Israel are suffering, and people who have families in the Gaza Strip or in the West Bank are suffering as well. “We have to keep that in mind, and we have to be aware of that and have compassion for each other,” she said.
“I hope the Middle East will have peace“.
&Copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
