One Flag, One Voice: Quebec Student Bravely Defends Israel, 'I Prefer to Die Standing'

Downtown Ottawa on October 7 was a day of contrasts and surprises. Typically, weekends in Ottawa often see protests led by groups like communists, masked Palestinian supporters, and Arab or Muslim backers of Hamas and jihad, rallying against Israel and Western countries. Given the date’s significance—marking the anniversary of the October 7 Islamic attack on Israel—many expected dramatic scenes.

However, this year’s anniversary was quieter than anticipated, with some Canadian cities seeing less chaos compared to the usual protests involving smoke bombs, aggressive rhetoric, and violence. Early in the afternoon, there was no visible sign of the usual anti-Israel and pro-Hamas demonstrators.

Amid this calm, a lone figure stood in front of Parliament Hill, holding an Israeli flag. His presence was striking, not only because he was alone but because he held a dangerous and controversial stance in an increasingly hostile environment. Under Prime Minister Trudeau’s lack of leadership, the threat to Jewish communities has been growing, making public displays of support for Israel extremely risky. Despite the obvious dangers, no other media approached him—except RAIR Foundation.

This brave young man, a student at a Quebec CEGEP (Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel), was compelled to stand for Israel. His experiences with his peers had left him horrified by the rise in anti-Semitism at his school. Despite threats and growing hostility from his fellow students and even teachers, he felt it necessary to defend Israel publicly.

In his interview, he explained, “I’m here to defend Israel and demand the release of the hostages. I am militantly anti-fascist. Hamas is fascist. Hezbollah is fascist. They do not represent the Palestinian people at all. The Palestinians are also being exterminated by Hamas.” He expressed solidarity not just with Israel but with various oppressed groups globally—such as the Kabyle people in Algeria and the Kurds in Turkey—while criticizing the global pro-Palestinian movement for its selective support for oppressed populations.

The student went on to describe the terrifying environment Jewish students now face, recalling how, on November 13, 2023, some of his peers stayed home from school, fearing a day of global attacks on Jews. His own life had been threatened for his pro-Israel stance, yet he remained resolute: “I prefer to die standing up rather than living on my knees,” he said, quoting Charles from Charlie Hebdo and Albert Camus.

His courage in the face of growing anti-Jewish sentiment, especially in educational institutions, highlights the dangerous environment many Jewish students face. He called for the release of the 104 hostages still held in Gaza, even expressing hope for the return of those who may have died in captivity. His plea was simple but powerful: “Free the hostages. We want our hostages freed.”