Montreal Council to Vote on Suspending Ties with Israel

Montreal's city council is poised to debate a motion that calls for the suspension of institutional ties with the Israeli government. Proponents of the motion, put forward by the opposition party Projet Montréal, see it as a potentially significant municipal action in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The motion also calls for Montreal to recognize and denounce what it describes as an apartheid regime in Palestine and a genocide, while expressing solidarity with Palestinian civilians.

Supporters, including the Montreal Anti-Apartheid campaign, view the motion as a crucial first step, though it falls short of their broader demands for divestment and boycotts. Co-founder Sepideh Anvar stated that suspending ties could mean Israeli government representatives would no longer be invited to city hall and municipal officials would decline paid trips or gifts from Israel. Anvar expressed astonishment that a major North American city would take such a concrete step, especially when symbolic gestures of solidarity with Palestine have been difficult to achieve.

However, the motion faces opposition. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs urges council members to vote against it, arguing that the proposal risks exacerbating divisions within the city. The organization believes municipal leaders should prioritize local concerns such as housing, homelessness, infrastructure, and public safety over international conflicts.

The motion has garnered support from over 700 Quebec artists, cultural workers, and organizations, who signed a declaration urging councillors to vote in favor. This campaign was organized by the Quebec Artists Against Apartheid Club, with supporters from various artistic fields. Co-founder Emilie Manering indicated that the effort aims to demonstrate support for Palestinians within Quebec's cultural community.

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In a campaign where we can barely get even symbolic gestures of solidarity with Palestine, the fact that the City of Montreal, one of the largest cities in North America, is preparing to do something concrete, to suspend ties, is astonishing.