On Monday, a draft resolution introduced in June by members of the opposition party Projet Montréal, Nathalie Goulet, Erika Alneus, and Alex Norris, will be brought up for debate in Canada’s Montreal City Council.
The document demands that Montreal city leadership recognize Israel’s actions in Palestinian territories as «genocide.»
The draft resolution proposes the suspension of all institutional ties between Montreal and the Israeli government, its institutions, and municipalities. This measure is intended to remain in effect until Israel returns to «internationally recognized borders» and ceases violations of Palestinian rights.
At the same time, the document condemns antisemitism and Islamophobia. It states that Montreal residents of Jewish and Israeli descent should not be held responsible for the policies and actions of the Israeli government.
The initiative was sharply criticized by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA). The organization accused the resolution’s authors of attempting to bring a «foreign conflict» onto the agenda of city leadership at a time when Montreal is facing acute internal problems, such as homelessness, drug addiction, and a housing crisis.
The CIJA also pointed out that the resolution’s text does not mention Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Among those demanding the rejection of the resolution is Raquel Look, who lost her son Alexander during the Hamas attack on the Supernova music festival in Israel on October 7, 2023.
In a video message released by CIJA, Look stated that this initiative could further deepen division in society.
blockquote>“I beg you! Do not let the intolerance that took my son away take root and destroy our city,” said Look.
She also noted the rise in hate crimes in Montreal since the events of October 7. According to Look, the Canadian Jewish community is facing a disproportionately high level of such incidents.
The future fate of the resolution will be determined after debates in Canada’s Montreal City Council.
Source: jns.org
