A prominent Jewish organization is demanding that the City of Toronto cancel a planned ceremony to raise the Palestinian flag at city hall, labeling the event as "reckless and irresponsible" given the current climate of rising antisemitism across Canada.
Petition Gains Traction Against Flag Raising
The controversy has ignited significant public response, with a petition on Change.org gathering more than 20,000 signatures. The petition, started by Ron Jones, argues that the flag raising could inadvertently foster division and tension within the community. It suggests that there are alternative ways to express Palestinian solidarity that do not involve a symbolic act at a government institution.
B'nai Brith Canada has formally written to the city, asserting that the event violates municipal policy against flag raisings that promote hatred, violence, or racism. The ceremony is scheduled for November 17, in recognition of Palestinian Independence Day, which was self-declared on November 15, 1988.
Historical Context and Security Concerns
Richard Robertson, B'nai Brith's director of research and advocacy, provided the organization's stark reasoning. He stated that commemorating the 1988 declaration by then-Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) chairman Yasser Arafat would effectively sanitize an ideology that precluded Jewish self-determination and promoted antisemitism.
"Commemorating this moment, in the context of rising antisemitism in Canada, is not only insensitive but also reckless and irresponsible," Robertson said in a statement to the National Post. He emphasized that the PLO's historical legacy includes glorifying hate-motivated violence and perpetuating regional hostilities.
City of Toronto Defends Policy-Based Decision
In response to the growing debate, the City of Toronto has defended its position. Russell Baker, the city's director of media relations and issues management, explained that the flag-raising policy is a council-approved procedure. This policy permits non-profit or charitable organizations to request flag raisings for nations recognized by Global Affairs Canada.
Baker confirmed that the request from the advocacy group, the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), was approved under this framework. He clarified that flying a specific flag does not imply city support for the politics or policies of any nation or organization. The flag will be raised and lowered on the same day. Notably, the Israeli flag was raised at Toronto City Hall on May 1 for Israel's independence day.
This decision comes months after the Canadian government's move in September to recognize Palestinian statehood, a development that had already drawn criticism from several Jewish advocacy groups across the country.
