Image: Despite requests from community members that the flag be lowered, the flag will remain at full mast. “We feel our statement is the best reflection of our sentiment and expresses what we wish to communicate to our community,” said the Town’s CAO via email correspondence.
UPDATE: Following criticism from community members regarding the weakness of the statement issued by Huntsville Council and Mayor regarding the situation in the Middle East, Alcock issued an ‘addendum’ on October 13, 2023. You can find it HERE.
Statement issued by the Town of Huntsville on October 12, 2023:
The Mayor and Council of the Town of Huntsville share a collective sense of sorrow and profound sense of loss for members of the community affected by the unspeakable events in the Middle East. We recognize the distress and emotional impact this has on many and we condemn acts of violence. Our hearts go out to all those affected by the senseless loss of civilian life. We grieve with members of our community and their loved ones who are affected.
Canadians and their families who are in Israel, the West Bank, or the Gaza Strip and need emergency consular assistance should contact Global Affairs Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre at:
- Telephone: +1 613-996-8885 (collect calls are accepted where available)
- Email: [email protected]
- SMS: +1 613-686-3658
- WhatsApp: +1 613-909-8881
- Signal: +1 613-909-8087
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox so you don’t miss anything!
Click here to support local news
To Paul Ferris: I watched Dr. Maté’s talk on YouTube (Dr. Gabor Maté Speaks Out On Israel and Palestine). Dr. Maté is highly respected in his field and I always learn something new after reading his work and/or listening to him. Thank you for the link. It was a very interesting and informative video.
EXPOSING HAMAS: The Religion Beneath The Violence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAmAvHbJfyU
Having lived a long life through the Depression and the Second World War, the Korean War, etc. I have seen and heard of many atrocities and I have seen our elected members of parliament make some unwise decisions.
The decision of this Mayor and council set a precedent when they chose to fly the flag of Ukraine and now have chosen not to fly the flag of Israel. You can’t have it both ways.
As a long-standing resident of Huntsville, I am ashamed that our council has chosen not to fly the Israeli flag.
I stand with Israel and I will remember when election time comes where this Mayor and council stood on the issue of Israel.
Hug your family tonight if you can.
Well said Allen, anyone who truly understands the situation would not take the filtered news reports at face value, Netanyahu is the fake Hebrew that controls this situation and Hamas is not the voice of all Muslims.
Israel has never lived up to the obligations or promises it made in the past and unfortunately this paints all Jews with the same brush,this holds true for Hamas as well.
Using religion as an excuse for any of this by either party involved is is an outdated, irrelevant, excuse for a land grab. North American media needs headlines and never needs facts to get in the way of creating headlines. Ukraine is old news now, they have a new war to get everyone riled up about and don’t let history or truth get in the way of that.
I urge that anyone concerned about this state of affairs read some history on that region before you jump to conclusions.
Take note of which party is bulldozing entire neighborhoods, whether they are doing so with compensation or legal right separate from religion. Who is sending rockets into civilian ares and whether or not they represent the majority. All too often we see things and judge things solely based on the news snippets we are given and speak out without really knowing what’s going on.
Their land has been in torment for centuries and we cannot possibly pretend to understand the dynamics of what is going on there when it is mixed up by history, religion, politics, greed, and pride.
I would expect that the people of other parts of the world would have their own thoughts about how the indigenous people of North America have been treated and continue to be treated, kinda makes us look like hypocrite’s doesn’t it? Well in our case they are totally defeated people and they were savages anyway so that makes it okay?
Choose sides carefully.
As a Jew, I am comforted to hear from many in my Huntsville community who support the people of Israel but more importantly who condemn the Hamas and it’s beyond despicable terrorisms activities. Please can we all be kind to each other and live in harmony!!! Hug your children, your family members.
If you would like to hear the truth watch Gabor Mate, Canadian doctor, holocaust survivor and expert on trauma and addiction, talk about the Israel – Palestine conflict. “Dr. Gabor Mate Speaks Out on Israel and Palestine” on YouTube.
If you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.
I watched a video last night of Hamas terrorists holding kidnapped babies, taunting Israeli mothers and fathers, threatening to kill them. Babies literally in diapers.
Some things in life demand a response, regardless of “jurisdiction” or purview.
Paul Whillans’s argument could be applied to any sub-sovereign government in the world. We don’t want the Province of Ontario commenting on an atrocity that affects numerous Ontarians? Same for Council and Jewish community members.
Our municipal council has commented on a slew of issues far outside of its mandate. Ukraine/Russia, parental rights marches, etc. There’s a Ukrainian flag on the Town Hall. Does this bother Paul and Ken? Why is it a problem when its Israel?
Paul and Ken presumably want Council to never comment on an international/national event ever again? What about something like 9/11 or a war? They want silence? That’s not leadership.
I think their argument is ridiculous.
Because this isn’t just something terrible that is happening very far away, it impacts the people who live in this town. Especially the Jewish members of our community. Either way, I would have judged them less if they made no statement at all. They made the choice to weigh in and unfortunately the statement that was issued was completely inadequate.
Paul, couldn’t agree more.We elected these people to deal with our local issues.
I am curious as to why anyone would feel that it is within the mandate of the representatives of a small community to even try to speak for their community on matters of international affairs. Foreign affairs is not legislatively within the purview of a municipality. No elected official ran on a platform that include foreign affairs. As Ms Alcock has pointed out (I believe) if a municipal leader has an INFORMED opinion it would be a personal one.
To express such rage because the municipality doesn’t express views spontaneously that agree with a citizen’s seems over the top. Certainly, I don’t want my municipal leaders speaking for me on such a complicated matter, even if we can all agree from basic humanity that war is hell.
While I stand with Israel against the savagery displayed by Hamas against innocent Israelis, I think it is important, in addition, to take the long view that history provides. As the second largest religion in the world (1.7 billion adherents) surpassed only by Christianity (2.3 billion adherents) we have an obligation to make an attempt at religious co-existence and tolerance. We must teach them a better way.
Unfortunately, Islam contains within it the seeds of violence. Jihad against non-Muslims as well as dominance over non-Muslims is a requirement of the strict observance of the Islamic faith. Wherever radical Islam spreads, it seems that hostilities are inevitable. Hindu scholars have investigated the ancient historical records and have recently announced their conclusion that 200 million Hindus were put to the sword by successive waves of hostile Muslim invasion in the Indian sub-continent.
On the fortunate side of the ledger, the vast majority of the world’s Muslims are not strict followers and just want to be at peace with their neighbors. But, they are being increasingly intimidated by the forces of radicalism. Iran is the source of much of the funding and arms that fuel those radical elements, that not only seek to murder and dominate non-Muslims but other, more peace-loving Muslims, as well.
It has been reported by Christian missionaries that there are many, many moderate Muslims who are secretly coming to faith in Christ and who eagerly embrace the New Testament admonition that, “If it depends on you, be at peace with all men,” Jesus Himself taught that all of His followers were required to love each other and, in addition, that they were equal brothers and sisters in Him (Matthew 23:8). Those teachings alone are enough to defeat hatred and hierarchical despotism where they stand. Prayer is mightier than any sword and I would hope that all Christians would be responding to this crisis with prayer, not only for our friends in the Jewish faith but for those who would be our enemies–while honoring our obligation to protect the weak and innocent from further savagery.
I read down these comments with interest until finding one of such purely vitriolic hate that it rivals the hate it claims to condemn. Sadly, some people here have trouble with the notion that others have a right to an opinion too.
Yes, I agree that the attacks by Hamas were barbaric and inexcusable. But someone who takes a broader, humanitarian view is neither nihilistic nor amoral. Let’s not confuse self-righteousness with morality.
It is sad that we are even having to have this conversation. The comments that have been be shared for the most part are well thought, others?? Please remember in your hearts all the innocent lives that have been taken no matter which side of the street they may live. Those guilty not only for these recent atrocities but for the past decades history will judge them !!
I won’t comment overmuch on the barbaric deaths of innocent Israeli children, peace-festival goers and their holocaust survivor grandparents…the images of beheaded children, blown-up cars with occupants strapped inside and safe shelter hiding youth machine-gunned to death with no place to hide, speak for themselves.
I’ll simply say to those who worry about the tragedy (which it is) of “collective punishment” of Gazans now, there is a simple solution.
Let the 150 children, women, and elderly kidnapped Israelis and being held hostage in Gaza go. Period.
Nothing else matters to the small nation of Israel now
As for Huntsville’s town council, while it would have been welcome to see some moral outrage on their part, what counts most and is so needed and so welcomed at this time are the many many many supportive comments re this article from neighbours and friends. Thank you.
Knowing the truth about the history of Israel and how God first promised this land, and much more, to Abraham and his descendants through Isaac…. Genesis 12….. I’m amazed that there are still people ignorant of this.
All though history she has been a persecuted nation…the only one that many deny the right to exist.
Whenever she has given up land for “peace”…no peace has been granted her by her enemies.
On Saturday October 7th…. exactly 50 yrs after the Yom Kippur war….. barbaric terrorists invaded Israel…why?
For land? Because they felt “oppressed”?
NO!!
They came with ONE sole intent….to butcher Jews.
Behead babies. Burn children and families alive.
Gang rape the women.
Slaughter as many Jews as possible…..and drag back to Gaza as hostages….over 100.
ENOUGH…..If you’re in the least bit human…. Huntsville council….Take a stand of support FOR Israel and AGAINST these atrocities.
What happened last Saturday when Hamas attacked the people in Israel is terrifying, disgusting, cruel, horrifying and I cannot find the words to express how outraged I am and how strongly I stand against such acts. I am glad people are outraged by this.
But where has the outrage been in more recent years for the treatment of the people living in the Gaza Strip. For the thousands who have been killed and the millions forced to live without the very necessities of life that we take for granted. I do wish there was enough outrage for all acts against humanity. Not just in Gaza but around the world. I hope the outrage expressed now will continue for all the non-combatant people, all the families, all the children who will suffer atrocities in the coming days of this conflict.
We tend to react strongly (and rightfully) to the immediacy of large scale atrocities such as happened last Saturday but we often don’t have the stomach to follow the slow motion genocides and cumulative crimes against humanity that continue daily around the world to real people, real families, real children. In this we often tire of the news and our outrage either wanes or is not triggered in the first place. In all cases the victims are human beings and they deserve no less than our outrage.
So rather than stand “with”, I choose to stand against every act of violence, cruelty, torture and terror perpetrated against humanity including last Saturday’s attack on Israel.
A quote from Eleanor Roosevelt resonates with me. “When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?”
Perhaps our Council is not in step with the more immediately popular political statements made by other levels of government but perhaps they have taken a more humanity focused stand “with” the victims. Sadly this conflict has, and will continue to cause the death and suffering of untold numbers of victims and result in countless numbers of people who are, and will be, grieving horrendous losses. Some of those people are a part of our community.
I applaud the council in their response.
And like clockwork the amoral, relativistic, far-left Green/NDP apologists what happened emerge with their false moral equivalencies.
Shame on you, Lesley Hastie, and shame on every other equivocating, ambivalent, member of your morally bankrupt movement.
Never forget this moment folks.
There presently sits a vocal anti-Semite in the NDP caucus. Green Party Leader, Elizabeth May, has been MIA, hiding under a rock. Jagmeet Singh has been ducking and diving and doing everything possible to conflate and obfuscate.
Public sector unions and academia are crawling with this amoral, nihilistic garbage.
The only silver lining in this situation is that its exposed the people of the far-left for what they are.
I tend to side with what Allen Markle says vs most others here, and I recommend you read his post once again.
In a situation such as this emotions often override logic. As usual the people who suffer the most are the civilians (families on both sides), especially the children. My understanding is the people living in Gaza do not have a say in who governs them, many or most are prisoners in their own country. Correct me if I am wrong but Hamas was once voted in many years ago and they quickly became a total dictatorship, and quit even trying to spend any energy helping their own people.
As Allen said people were warned to evacuate the region being bombed endlessly but they have nowhere to go. They have pretty much run out of food and drinking water as Israel (Bibi) cut it off 100%. So stay in place and be bombed and starve, or try and move to a different region and starve. Rhymes with “Sophie’s Choice” https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/sophies-choice/
I do heartily recommend people watch this short (1 minute video)
https://twitter.com/baiswar_vikas/status/1712071313186287673
it sometimes glitches(?), so keep trying as it will eventually work.
I fully & Unequivocally support Israel and whatever response occurs to the slaughter of Innocents! The assumption from one writer that there are far left , is nonsense and sounds threatening and reeks of far right persuasion such as You might here from Our southern neighbour’s. Not constructive, nor helpful in any way !
The violence in Israel and Gaza is barbaric with more deaths, injuries, pain and unspeakable misery still to come. I feel deeply for those in Israel who have lost loved ones in such horrendous circumstances, and who have been taken hostage, and the agony of each day that passes.
We lived in the Middle East, the Sultanate of Oman, for 14 years, and read in local newspapers of the daily abuse of human rights against Palestinians.
Over the last few days on CBC radio and TV we’ve heard that Hamas rules Gaza with an “iron fist”. The people are in an open prison, to quote ex UK PM David Cameron. Theirs is not a democracy where they can vote in a different government. And the majority of the young have no hope for the future, with 70% unemployment and no escape. it is UN and MSF and others who have been keeping people alive and educated.
80% of people in Gaza are in poverty, with access to clean water and electricity at crisis levels before this violence.
Collective punishment of a population such as the siege by Israel, is against International law.
Human Rights Watch has written to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, saying ‘impunity for grave abuses committed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict over many years is seen as proof positive that there are double standards with respect to international Justice”. Neither Israel nor the USA are signatories to the ICC..
This conflict is not an issue of anti semitism. It is a political issue. It is not about being anti Jewish, it is about being against Israeli policies and Israel’s oppression and human rights abuses over an occupied people.
Our Town Council has taken a very balanced approach to the conflict condemning violence and terrorism in all sides.
Thank God that there are still voices like Mr. Allen Markle’s around. A little bit of history knowledge, a little bit of edjication, and up pops wisdom.
This is absurd. Every political party, at every level of government has come out in support of Israel and has condemned the terrorist group Hamas. Why would our town council take a different position? This does not reflect the sentiments of the people that live here and should be retracted immediately.
MPP Sarah Jama had to issue a public apology for a similar statement to this one in order to keep her job another day and our mayor should too.
I feel a profound moral obligation to express my support for Israel and the Jewish diaspora around the world.
Hamas is a barbaric and genocidal organization whose only goal is the murder of Jews. They care about nothing else; they are driven solely by hatred.
I hope to see the Israeli flag flying proudly at Town Hall in the near future.
I stand with Israel.
This “statement” is evading everything! For the first time ever I am very disappointed in the place I live- Huntsville! Do the right thing and at the very least fly the flag for Israel. I’m a resident of Huntsville and I stand with Israel!!!
After reading the “Official” statement this morning, I feel compelled to write something. I am totally appalled at the lack of support this Mayor and Council have given to the state of Israel.
Thankfully our federal and provincial levels of government have condemned Hamas publicly. Come on Hunstville, Let’s do the same!
I stand with Israel!!!
The least we could do is fly the Israeli flag beside the Ukraine flag to show our support for Israel.
Absolutely disgusting and cowardly. I know a few of you council members and I hope you’re ashamed of how your mayor has represented you with this statement of which does nothing more that fence sit on a major issue and depicts you all as cowards.
On the federal and provincial levels of government in this country, Hamas and the atrocities they committed (including beheading babies) were condemned publicly. How are you not following suit? This is unacceptable and each of you should be ashamed.
Furthermore, you fly the Ukrainian flag and have also flown the LGBTQ flag as well in support for their issues. Now you hide like the cowards you are and won’t chose to condemn Hamas nor fly the Israeli flag to show support. Disgusting!
I agree with many of the comments here calling you cowards. You are! If you can’t find it in yourselves to apologize, then condemn Hamas and raise the Israeli flag at town hall, then step aside and let us elect representatives of this community who embody the wisdom and courage to do so.
I’m so ashamed of the leaders of this town.
I stand with Israel.
To sit on the fence and not condemn the acts of Hamas makes you complicit with terrorism and you too should be ashamed of yourself.
I am so ashamed of our local elected counselors and Mayor of Huntsville.
Our PM and Premier of Ontario have publicly condemned Hamas and the terrorism that has been inflicted on Israel.
Please let’s fly the flag of Israel 🇮🇱 to show our support and let them know we care.
Nancy Alcock
Dan Armour
Scott Morrison
Bob Stone
Helena Renwick
Dione Schumacher
Jason Fitzgerald
Corey Clark
Monty Clouthier
These are the names of the spineless, virtue-signalling obsessed, inept people who issued this contemptible statement. Call them, email them, stop them in the street to express your outrage.
This victims of the massacre deserve so much more than the deplorable attempt these people made at not offending anyone. Your omissions and silence speak volumes, Council! Have the courage to say it. If you’re with Hamas say so. Don’t give us this lily-livered BS.
Fly the Israeli flag. Condemn the terrorists. Have the courage to call beheading babies what is: MURDER.
Robert Burns wrote “Man was made to mourn.” So I guess we must allow the world to find room for another war. So more men may mourn. The Ukraine and all other wars being not enough.
The area of the town of Huntsville encompasses some 710 sq. km. with a population of about 22,000 people. Gaza covers 365 sq. km. and contains 2 million lives, over half of them under the age of 18. In my perception, babies. I write ‘contains’ because they can’t leave, all borders closed to them.
Israel is the Jewish burr at the heart of a Muslim world. A dangerous place. But a nation armed to the teeth with the best the West can supply and what an industrious people can create. The slogan “Never Again” rings in the recent history of Israel. Never again to be slaves in Egypt. Never again to be sent to death camps. They have earned the right to defend themselves.
Hamas is an organization sworn to drive the Jews into the sea. To eradicate Israel. There is nothing they won’t do to achieve that end. They are also the armed/governing body in Gaza. But Gaza is just a place to them and the people of Gaza simply camouflage and bodies to hide among.
So when rockets rain down on Israel and Hamas attacks, Netanyahu tells the people of Gaza to flee because the Israeli army is coming. Knowing full well there is nowhere for them to go. The man is a callous cretin in my opinion.
Some find it so easy to choose a side, reading the preceding comments. Easy to do from here, safe and housed and fed. Death not just a heaven away. But for me there are not just two but three factions here. One is totally defenseless and vulnerable.
So I rue the fate of the people of Gaza. As for Israel and Hamas, a pox on both your houses. I know Shakespeare wrote it and Mercutio said it, but for me it fits here.
This is my first time posting on the Doppler. I cannot stay silent. I’m deeply disappointed and appalled. This statement is wholly inadequate. There are Councillors who seemingly care more about pronouns, crosswalks, climate change, “unity squares” and many other far less grave issues than gang rapes and beheadings. Now is the time to stand up and show you have some backbone and moral character. No ambiguity or fence sitting.
This is a legacy defining issue. History will not look kindly on your silence and evasiveness. We will not forget!
About as limp-wristed a response as one could possibly imagine. Knowing this council, should we expect otherwise?
I agree whole heartedly with the first 3 comments.
Shame on Huntsville council, and anyone else who thinks that way.
I am ashamed of our elected Counselors and Mayor of Huntsville. The “offical” statement truly depicts their lack of support for Israel.
Our Canadian and Ontario Governments have both gone on record to condemn the acts of violence and terrorism inflicted upon the Citizens and Country of Israel by Hamas.
Our town supported Ukraine and condemned Russia why are you not now supporting Israel and condemning Hamas and any small “c” country that is supporting Hamas?
Let’s support Isreal, flag their flag along side of the Ukraine flag we are currently flying showing our support and show Israel we care and support them!
If not. Then we ask for you our representatives to step down and let us put representatives in place that have courage to do what is right by our allies, after all Israel is our Canadian Allie.
Bruce Fitter in support of Israel
This is barely a statement. What an incredibly disappointing and inappropriate response from the mayor and council. The massacre that occurred in Israel was a depraved act of terrorism. Hamas is a terrorist group. Are we so afraid of the extreme left that we can’t use the proper words to stand up for what is right any more?? Or to condemn what is wrong???
I hope that the Jewish members of our community know that the people of Huntsville support them (even if this statement does not).
Let’s address the elephant in the room.
The refusal of the so-called “progressive left” to denounce Hamas and the murder of Jews is despicable. It’s become clear over the last few days that the far-left in this country – the NDP, the Greens and public sector unions like CUPE – are teeming with rabid anti-Semites who will and have gone to great lengths to excuse and justify the rape, torture, murder and kidnapping of innocent Jews, including Jewish children and babies.
These people are disgusting. Hamas is disgusting. This statement by the Town of Huntsville is disgusting.
We know who on Council are members of the far-left and who very likely hold the same beliefs as Fred Hahn and the countless other vile, Jew-hating apologists for slaughter that have come to dominate Canadian academia and organized labour.
Today, I am ashamed to be a resident of this community.
This is a cowardly and pathetic statement. Shame on Council.
Terrorists murdered babies in their cribs. They murdered Jews because they were Jews. Hamas is a genocidal, murderous death cult.
Say it Council! “Hamas murdered Jews. The Town of Huntsville Stands With Israel”.
Cowards. All of you.