Sackville Ceasefire Coalition asks Tantramar council for help ending the slaughter in Gaza

About 50 people held a candlelight vigil outside town hall on January 9 before asking Tantramar council to write a letter to the prime minister calling for Canadian intervention to help end the war in Gaza.

The call for Canada to act was included in a petition that Sarah Kardash of the Sackville Ceasefire Coalition presented to council.

“I am grateful to live in a community with so many people of conscience,” she said referring to the 253 people who had signed it.

“As a Jewish member of the coalition, I am horrified that Israel is weaponizing the deaths of Israeli citizens on October 7 to fuel a genocidal war against Palestinians. In just over 90 days, 30,000 Palestinians have been killed when accounting for those presumed dead under the rubble. This includes 12,000 children,” she said.

“From my own people’s history, I have learned that we find safety in solidarity, that never again means never again for anyone and that it is my duty to denounce genocide wherever it occurs. I insist that criticism of Israel is not anti-semitic, and refuse to stand by while Israel commits war crimes in my name as a Jew.”

‘Necessary first step’

Kardash said that her group welcomes Canada’s vote at the United Nations on December 12 calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, but only as a necessary first step.

“Canada must utilize all economic and diplomatic means at its disposal to achieve an end to the current atrocities,” she added.

“Canada should, for example, end arms sales to Israel and support South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice invoking the Genocide Convention,” she said.

“A ceasefire is urgently needed to end the air strikes and slaughter, allow unobstructed entry of aid into Gaza, and ensure the safe return of hostages and political prisoners. The time for Canada to decisively intervene is now.”

Kardash ended her five-minute presentation with a question:

“Is there a councillor here tonight willing to put forward a motion to write a letter to Justin Trudeau urging him to take concrete actions to ensure a ceasefire is enacted, respected and enforced?”

Allison Butcher was the only councillor to respond.

“When I saw that this was on the agenda, I thought, well, of course ceasefire, but what does a municipality in the wilds of Canada do about that,” Butcher said.

“So I really thank you for giving us a clear direction for something that we as a municipality in Canada can do that looks directed and hopefully effective.”

Kardash said later that although she was disappointed that none of the councillors responded by putting forward a motion, she was happy about Butcher’s positive comment.

“She seems to understand the issues and understand why it’s appropriate for a municipal government to be acting on this,” Kardash said.

“I look forward to following up with her for further discussion about a motion.”

Editor’s note: Sarah Kardash is a member of the NB Media Co-op board of directors. 

Bruce Wark worked in broadcasting and journalism education for more than 35 years. He was at CBC Radio for nearly 20 years as senior editor of network programs such as The World at Six and World Report. He currently writes for The New Wark Times, where a version of this story first appeared on January 9, 2024.