Montreal, Canada, City Council Passes Palestinian Solidarity Motion After Removing Clause on Cutting Ties with Israel

Montreal’s city council passed a motion of solidarity with Palestinians after removing a clause that called for severing institutional and diplomatic ties with Israel. The amended motion, which received 54 votes in favor and six against, was introduced by Projet Montréal, a progressive municipal party. The original version of the motion demanded that Montreal “immediately suspend its institutional ties with the current government of Israel, its institutions, and its municipalities.” This language faced strong opposition from major Canadian Jewish organizations, who argued it was inappropriate and could exacerbate tensions between communities.

The final motion, shaped in part by Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada’s administration, removed references to Israeli “apartheid” and “genocide,” which had been included in the initial proposal. The revised text instead focused on diversity and inclusion, with the city recognizing the need to address rising antisemitism. The motion also included a clause stating that “the Jewish communities of Montreal and elsewhere, as well as people of Israeli origin, cannot be held responsible for the actions of the State of Israel.”

Martinez Ferrada clashed with progressive councillors during the debate, asserting that it was not the role of a city government to make determinations about international crises. She emphasized that “recognizing the limits of our institution is not turning a blind eye to Gaza.” The changes to the motion reflected an effort to balance the city’s commitment to solidarity with Palestinians while avoiding actions that could inflame existing tensions.

The original proposal by Projet Montréal included a demand that Israeli government representatives be excluded from Montreal 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.” This language was criticized by national Jewish organizations, including B’nai Brith Canada, which warned that such a stance could deepen divisions and create unnecessary conflict.

The motion’s dilution came after Jewish groups raised concerns about the potential consequences of the original language. B’nai Brith Canada issued an open letter to the city council earlier this month, stating that it would be “inappropriate and exacerbate tensions between communities” for Montreal to weigh in on the Middle East. The revised motion, while still expressing solidarity with Palestinians, avoided direct calls for severing ties with Israel and removed the most contentious language.

The debate highlighted the complex role of local governments in international affairs, particularly when it comes to issues involving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the motion reflects a commitment to addressing antisemitism and supporting Palestinian rights, it also underscores the challenges of navigating such sensitive topics in a diverse and inclusive society. The final text of the motion seeks to balance these competing priorities without taking a direct stance on the broader political and legal issues at play.

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