Montreal opposition party moves forward with motion to cut ties with Israel

Montreal's opposition party, Projet Montréal, is advancing a motion to cut institutional ties with Israel, with a city council meeting scheduled for August 24. The motion, introduced in June, urges the city to "recognize and denounce the apartheid regime in Palestine and the genocide being perpetrated there, and affirm solidarity with Palestinians and other civilian victims of hostilities in the Middle East."

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recognize and denounce the apartheid regime in Palestine and the genocide being perpetrated there, and affirm solidarity with Palestinians and other civilian victims of hostilities in the Middle East.

Projet Montréal also calls for the suspension of official ties, stating the city should "suspend institutional ties with Israel's current government, including by not inviting representatives of the state to official events held at city hall 'until Israel returns to its internationally recognized borders, ceases its violations of the rights of the Palestinian people, and ends its violations of international law.'" Although Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada initially removed the motion from the agenda, the party intends to bring it back for a vote.

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suspend institutional ties with Israel's current government, including by not inviting representatives of the state to official events held at city hall 'until Israel returns to its internationally recognized borders, ceases its violations of the rights of the Palestinian people, and ends its violations of international law.'

Supporters of the motion, including Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME), view it as a necessary step for municipal bodies to take a stand on human rights. They draw parallels to Montreal's decision in the 1980s to cut ties with apartheid South Africa, positioning the city as a pioneer in upholding human rights.

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Montréal needs a city council that focuses on local issues

However, the motion has encountered significant opposition from community leaders and advocacy groups. Eta Yudin of the Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) expressed concern, stating that "Montréal needs a city council that focuses on local issues." Yudin warned against "importing a foreign conflict to appease extremists or for electoral calculations," referencing recent events where participants in the Fierté Montreal pride parade collectively refused to "import the hatred from a distant conflict."

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importing a foreign conflict to appease extremists or for electoral calculations