Listen now (43 mins) | Jacqui Rivers Vital was in Ottawa visiting her family when she learned of the carnage unfolding in Israel on October 7. Her daughter, Adi Vital-Kaploun lived on a kibbutz on the border with Gaza with her husband and two young children. A second daughter lived on another kibbutz in the area. Her husband was visiting with Adi. Jacqui tells STLV in detail about the nightmare she faced to unravel the barbarism that befell her family, in real time; the murder of Adi and the Hamas exploitation of her 3-year-old grandson in a propaganda video. And more. And then there is the unfathomable absence of the Government of Canada, starting at the top, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly. Only Canada’s storied RCMP – the police force in the iconic red serge uniforms – supported and helped Jacqui. If you want to skip to the policy and conduct of the Canadian government, start at 23:20, more or less. But you really should listen to the whole thing. It is an unfathomable story. The world must not turn away. Thank you, Jacqui, for sharing it with us.
Maybe, as an American I just don’t understand this point. Why would Canada not want to have it known that one of their citizens was murdered by Hamas? There should be a price for killing your citizens or at least public accountability. As controversial as the U.S. demand for a detailed explanation from Israel into the death of Shireen Abu Akleh, I understand this because she was an American and carrying a U.S. passport means something when you are overseas. It is shameful that Canada would want to cover up the fact that one of their citizens was murdered by Hamas.
You're quite right. I was shocked when I heard this from Jacqui. As she was when it was told to her. No government wants to pay ransom to terrorist groups but to hear that that is the top concern of the government is more than a little unsettling. It is also a political decision and should not have been delegated to the RCMP (equivalent of FBI) to deliver the ugly news. Ask PM Justin Trudeau. I cannot answer for his values. It's not a Canadian thing. It's a thing of this government, which is all about identity politics. Jewish Canadians are not valued by this government. There are only about 350,000 Jews in Canada and there are close to 2-million Muslims, many of whom have immigrated during Trudeau's time in office. He has made very clear that he aligns his government with the Muslim community and, in the current crisis, he has been absent. What we have seen in the last eight years is that some Canadians are much more valued than others. Sad but true.
It’s very important that Canadians hear this tragic story. Like you, a Canadian living in Israel, I find it painful to learn about the government’s handling of this matter. It’s so shameful that it hurts. Trudeau has set himself apart from other western leaders and it is inexcusable. It is shameful and immoral and it sickens me.
Maybe, as an American I just don’t understand this point. Why would Canada not want to have it known that one of their citizens was murdered by Hamas? There should be a price for killing your citizens or at least public accountability. As controversial as the U.S. demand for a detailed explanation from Israel into the death of Shireen Abu Akleh, I understand this because she was an American and carrying a U.S. passport means something when you are overseas. It is shameful that Canada would want to cover up the fact that one of their citizens was murdered by Hamas.
You're quite right. I was shocked when I heard this from Jacqui. As she was when it was told to her. No government wants to pay ransom to terrorist groups but to hear that that is the top concern of the government is more than a little unsettling. It is also a political decision and should not have been delegated to the RCMP (equivalent of FBI) to deliver the ugly news. Ask PM Justin Trudeau. I cannot answer for his values. It's not a Canadian thing. It's a thing of this government, which is all about identity politics. Jewish Canadians are not valued by this government. There are only about 350,000 Jews in Canada and there are close to 2-million Muslims, many of whom have immigrated during Trudeau's time in office. He has made very clear that he aligns his government with the Muslim community and, in the current crisis, he has been absent. What we have seen in the last eight years is that some Canadians are much more valued than others. Sad but true.
Shameful, Mr. Trudeau!
It’s very important that Canadians hear this tragic story. Like you, a Canadian living in Israel, I find it painful to learn about the government’s handling of this matter. It’s so shameful that it hurts. Trudeau has set himself apart from other western leaders and it is inexcusable. It is shameful and immoral and it sickens me.
Thank you for your work Vivian!