In the hours following Israel’s military strike against Iran targeting nuclear sites and military and nuclear program leadership, the country braced for a response, and Canada is watching the developments unfold and warning its citizens abroad to remain alert.
In a campaign dubbed “Operation Rising Lion” the Israeli Air Force bombed strategic sites in Tehran and elsewhere early Friday morning, June 13. IDF intelligence reports that air force strikes targeted the senior chain of command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Air Force in an underground command center, killing key military leaders and senior nuclear scientists. IDF fighter jets also struck Iran’s uranium enrichment site in Natanz.
Nearly 12 hours after Israel’s move, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand posted that Canada is closely following the “escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran,” warning that further action “risks triggering a broader regional conflict with devastating consequences. De-escalation must be the priority. We urge all parties to refrain from actions that further destabilize the region.”
Canada remains deeply concerned by the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program, she said. “Importantly, Canadians in the region are advised to exercise a very high degree of caution, monitor developments closely, and follow the advice of local authorities.” Canada’s travel advisory for Israel remains as it has been, which is to avoid all nonessential travel to Israel, and all travel to Gaza and the West Bank with some exceptions in the latter.
Canada’s embassy in Israel posted similar messages, adding “There are reports of military debris falling in various locations. This may result in travel disruptions, including flight cancellations and airspace closures. You should monitor local and international media to stay informed of the rapidly evolving situation; be vigilant and follow the instructions of local authorities at all times, including any orders to shelter in place.”
Asked about the number of Canadians in Israel and Canada’s rection to the conflict, Global Affairs Canada did not respond to The CJN’s queries before press time, other than directing to generic posts already circulating.
The pre-emptive strike was announced along with a state of emergency for all of Israel.
Once the attacks were launched, involving more than 200 Israeli Air Force planes targeting more than 100 sites, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to the nation and the world, telling them the operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove the threat posed by Iran, with its march towards achieving nuclear weapons and repeated public commitment to obliterate Israel.
Netanyahu, who has warned of Iran’s threat for decades, and has frequently cited the ability to detect threats as a core survival skill for any species or civilization, said he made it clear “time and again, Israel will never allow those who call for our annihilation to develop the means to achieve that goal. Tonight Israel backs those words with action.” To Iranians, he said “Our fight is not with you. Our fight is with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years. I believe that the day of your liberation is near and when that happens the great friendship between our two ancient peoples will flourish once again.”
Citing the lessons of appeasement before the Second World War and the Holocaust, Netanyahu said “Never again is now. Today Israel has shown that we have learned the lessons of history. When enemies vow to destroy you, believe them. When enemies build weapons of mass death, stop them.”
At around 3 a.m. Israel time, sirens blared across the country and Israelis were ordered to seek shelter. But it wasn’t a public siren that woke Montrealer Paola Samuel, asleep in her Tel Aviv hotel room near the end of a volunteer trip. “We were awoken though our phones,” she told The CJN. “I jumped out of bed and ran down to the stairwell, so it was for sure scary as we didn’t know what was going on, and we were all on high alert until about 5 a.m. when we went back to our rooms.”
Later Friday morning she said, “Israel is what you would expect: resilient, and people are at the beach. Earlier this morning the streets were empty but as the day has gone on and even though we’re in a state of emergency and things aren’t open, the beach is getting busier. The Pride parade was cancelled but cars are back on the road.
“You can just see the resilience of the Israeli people and the Jewish people. Everyone is here, they’re on their phones, they’re checking things and sharing what’s going on. We’re careful but life goes on.”
Edna Mendelson is visiting the north end of Tel Aviv. “I feel completely safe” said the Israeli-Canadian grandmother.“The IDF is an army of heroes but so are the Israelis. The way they live through tough times is just incredible. You never feel alone.” Mendelson told The CJN she has been overwhelmed with calls and invites from neighbours and friends to ride it out. “I am in awe of the people.” At first people were staying close to home as per government security recommendations, she says once the Iranian drones were intercepted, orders were loosened, with more people out and more businesses open.
About 4,000 young North Americans are currently in Israel on trips with Birthright and Onward, according to Jewish Federation of North America (JFNA), which held a zoom call with some 5,000 representatives of Jewish federations on Friday. JFNA CEO Eric Fingerhut discussed the security concerns in Canada and the United States.
“We do have an elevated risk level, we had it before going into events of last night, but… we do know that an attack on Iran specifically, is an attack on the foremost sponsor of terror, not just against Israel but around the world, and we have to be cognizant of that fact.”
In a release Friday morning, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs interim president Noah Shack said “While (the Iranian regime) tortures and represses its own people, it also fuels violence around the world as a top state sponsor of terrorism. Among its many victims are 55 Canadians killed when Iran shot down a Ukrainian civilian airliner in 2020. Iranian agents continue to pose a threat within Canada, as seen in a recent Iranian plot to assassinate former Liberal Justice Minister Irwin Cotler.”
Countries like Canada that value democracy and reject terrorism must stand firmly in support of Israel’s right to defend itself, especially against the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran, said Shack. “Yesterday, the UN’s nuclear inspection agency found Iran in violation of its obligations. Iran responded by pledging to accelerate uranium enrichment,” he wrote, adding that Canada has long recognized Iran’s nuclear proliferation activities as a major threat to regional and international security. “The international community must not allow the Iranian regime to acquire the means to threaten millions of lives in the Middle East, Europe, and ultimately here in North America.”
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre agreed, posting on X Friday morning that Israel has the right to defend itself, “including by disarming Tehran’s genocidal nuclear program. It cannot wait until the regime has capabilities for a nuclear strike. We should all hope that this is the end of the regime’s nuclear program and that the great Persian people can now rise up to reclaim their country from the totalitarian regime. All levels of government must take extra steps to protect Canada’s Jewish community from vile antisemites who may use these events as an excuse for more acts of violence.”
Israel’s Home Front Command is advising the population, including tourists, that public gatherings are prohibited, only essential services will operate, and everyone should remain close to protected sites (bomb shelters.)
Israel’s health ministry ordered all medical centers to escalate emergency preparedness to the highest level and relocate to protected areas, while Israel’s chief rabbinate asked that synagogues remain closed for Shabbat,and issued a directive that people may carry phones should they need to be alerted to a siren or need to be contacted by elderly or ill loved ones.
El Al said it suspended all flights to and from Israel, and flights en route to Israel will be turned around or diverted to another destination. A number of airlines are evacuating their fleets to other countries.
Moments after news of the strike came out Thursday night, prominent Iranian anti-regime activist Mandana Javan told a group of Jews assembled at a Côte Saint-Luc synagogue for a speaking event, that “the people of Iran stand with Israel,” thanking Israelis and the Jewish community for their support, imploring Israelis to continue their action against the regime.
The operations by Israel were “quietly welcomed by countless Iranians suffocating under a brutal and theocratic regime,” Javan told The CJN, adding for many, it marked “the first visible crack in the armor of the Islamic Republic’s long-standing impunity.” Israel and Iran stand alone against Islamism, she said, saluting both peoples for “their courage, patriotism, and their unshakable determination. The hope now burns brighter than ever that the Iranian people will seize this rare and golden moment to bring down the ayatollahs’ reign of terror.”
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is advising all Israelis abroad to follow National Security Council recommendations for the country they are in, and observe general safety guidelines for Israelis abroad: Avoid displaying Jewish or Israeli symbols in public spaces; do not post identifiable information about your location or travel plans on social media; avoid attending large gatherings identified with Israel or Jewish communities; cooperate with local security forces and follow their instructions immediately if exposed to any hostile activity; maintain high alertness in public places.
In a message to Montreal’s Jewish community, Federation CJA president Yair Szlak said the first priority is to ensure the safety of community members currently in Israel on Federation-supported programs.
“All our mission participants are safe and have registered with the Canadian Government as Canadian citizens. While programming for the groups will be limited, they are all in good spirits and our staff and lay leadership accompanying them are ensuring their physical and mental well-being. Our team and partners in Israel are in constant communication with the groups. Currently, the status of their flights is not clear, but we are working on this here in Montreal.”
Federation is also proactively addressing any implications for local community security says Szlak. “Since the outset of the operations, Federation CJA and our Community Security Network (CSN) have taken certain steps to upgrade our security circumstance in the Jewish community of Montreal.” While not aware of any direct or specific threat, Federation has requested additional Montreal police presence in and around the Jewish community and bolstered the presence of CSN volunteers around Jewish institutions.
No comment from Israeli Ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed was received before press time.
(With files from Lila Sarick).
