Brother of Hamas Hostage Calls for Support During Toronto Visit

Michael Levy travels across countries with his nephew’s teddy bear, striving for the safe return of the boy’s father

The teddy bear belonging to Almog Levy, a 2-year-old Israeli boy whose father, Or Levy, has been held hostage by the terrorist group Hamas following a surprise attack on the country on Oct. 7, 2023. Mr. Levy's older brother, Michael Levy, has travelled around the world with the teddy bear, rallying support to free his brother. Andrew Chen/The Epoch Times

TORONTO—In his quest to free his brother from Hamas captivity, Israeli Michael Levy has travelled across countries, carrying his nephew’s teddy bear. His hope is that the boy’s father can personally return it to his son.

Mr. Levy’s mission brought him to Canada Christian College in Whitby, Ont., on Jan. 29. Addressing students, he shared the challenges his family has faced over the past several months. Amid prayers for the safety of his brother, Or Levy, he’s also mourning the loss of his sister-in-law, Eynav Levy.

In the early morning of Oct. 7, 2023, after leaving their 2-year-old boy, Almog, with his grandparents, Or Levy and his wife headed to the Supernova Sukkot gathering, an open-air music festival near Kibbutz Re'im in southern Israel. However, they arrived at a harrowing scene, as Hamas had already begun a massacre at the festival.

Or Levy (C), his wife Eynav (L), and their 2-year-old son Almog, in a file photo. Courtesy of Michael Levy

The couple, along with around twenty others, sought refuge in a nearby bomb shelter, according to Michael. However, their relief was short-lived, as this shelter soon turned into a trap when Hamas fighters arrived. In a video taken from inside a nearby vehicle, individuals resembling Hamas fighters were seen throwing what appeared to be a hand grenade into the shelter and subsequently opened fire on those hiding inside. The video was provided by Michael Levy to The Epoch Times. It could not be independently verified.

Eynav was shot and killed during this assault. Or Levy, while unharmed, was taken captive, according to his brother.

“What do you say to a boy who has already lost his mother?” Michael said in his remarks to students. “The boy needs to be back with his father.”

During an interview with The Epoch Times on Jan. 29, Michael also called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for help, saying, “We need you to release them somehow. Help us release them somehow.”

Anti-Jewish Sentiment

The Oct. 7 attack by Hamas has resulted in an estimated death toll of at least 1,200 people, including seven Canadians, and the kidnapping of some 240 others. Over 130 people remain in captivity. On the same day, Israel immediately declared war on Hamas, launching a series of counterstrikes and firing thousands of missiles into the Gaza Strip, where the terrorist group is based.

Despite designating Hamas as a terrorist entity, Canada voted for a United Nations resolution last December, which called for a “humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.” The resolution faced criticism for not mentioning Hamas and failing to condemn the terrorist organization.

After a video from a senior Hamas official commending Canada’s position drew attention online, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly issued a statement on Dec. 21, 2023, seeking to clarify her government’s stance on a ceasefire in Gaza. She also referenced an earlier statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, stating that Canada “unequivocally condemns Hamas’ terror attacks on Israel.”

A series of anti-Jewish protests erupted across Canada following Israel’s counterattacks against Hamas.

Pro-Palestine protesters marched along Bay Street in downtown Toronto on Oct. 9, 2023. They were seen holding large banners, including one that reads "Smash Israeli Apartheid, Free Palestine," and another that reads "Resistance is Justified When People Are Occupied." Andrew Chen/The Epoch Times

Police have raised concerns about the escalating protests, which have caused significant disruptions as demonstrators blocked roads and compelled the shutdown of highway overpasses. Additional public security concerns have arisen as protesters disrupted a school board meeting in Ontario and forced a recess at the Saskatchewan Legislature.

Several individuals associated with these protests have been arrested. This includes two men connected to a Dec. 17 protest at Eaton Centre in downtown Toronto. They each faced several charges, including uttering threats and assaulting a peace officer.

‘Not Helping the World’

In addition to pro-Palestine protests, reports have suggested that authoritarian regimes like China have backed Hamas. An example of this support is seen in the removal of Israel from digital maps on widely used Chinese websites like Baidu and Alibaba, as reported by The Wall Street Journal last November.

The Israeli Defence Forces have also claimed to have discovered a massive number of Chinese-made weapons in Gaza. These weapons were reportedly seized from Hamas soldiers during ground and air operations, according to Israel’s Channel 12 on Dec. 30, 2023.

Michael Levy calls for the release of his brother Or Levy, who was taken hostage by the terrorist group Hamas during a massive attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Mr. Levy spoke to students at Canada Christian College in Whitby, Ont., on Jan. 29, 2024. Andrew Chen/The Epoch Times

Mr. Levy said that those who enable or support terrorist groups like Hamas should reconsider, warning that it will ultimately backfire.

“They are not helping themselves. They are not helping the world,” Mr. Levy said. “If you support Hamas, if you support terrorism, it will eventually get to you as well.”