Canadians in Israel: families sheltering, flights uncertain

As rockets continue to fly across Israel and the surrounding region, the confirmed death of Iran’s Supreme Leader marked a major turning point — but not necessarily the end of the fighting, nor the Iranian regime.

Israel's air defences continue to intercept most, but not all of the incoming Iranian drones and missiles–however, the death toll in Israel is climbing. And Israelis, and Canadians living or visiting that country, are moving in and out of shelters as alerts have been sounding since the attacks launched Saturday Feb. 28.

On today's episode of The CJN's flagship "North Star" podcast, host Ellin Bessner speaks with Montreal lawyer and parent Neil Oberman–currently visiting his son in Israel–as the family's rides out the hostilities. During our conversation, rocket sirens sounded and he took us along (virtually) to the bomb shelter to finish the interview.

We then speak with Middle East expert Professor Thomas Juneau, of the University of Ottawa, about what this moment means strategically — what it does not mean — and what is likely to happen in the next 24-48 hours.

Related stories:

• Learn more about Neil Oberman , who was a Conservative candidate in the last election, his legal warfare in support of Montreal’s Jewish university students and safety zones around places of worship, in The CJN .
• Read how Canadians in Israel from North to South are riding out this latest war, in The CJN.
• Toronto’s Jewish and Iranian community held separate and also joint celebrations on Sunday: for Purim, and the death of the Ayatollah, in The CJN.

Credits

• Host and writer: Ellin Bessner ( @ebessner )
• Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Andrea Varsany (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer), Alicia Richler (editorial director)
• Music: Bret Higgins

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