While the motion doesn’t change Canada’s formal foreign policy, elements of its text are disturbing and unacceptable. Some provisions ultimately reward Palestinian extremists and undermine the security of the people of Israel—a democratic Canadian ally—including:
- A call for an arms embargo on Israel, precisely when Israelis are fighting a defensive war launched by a recognized terrorist group; and
- Reaffirmation of Canadian funding for UNRWA, despite evidence that UNRWA staff participated in the October 7th atrocities.
Last night’s vote needs to be condemned for what it was: a slap in the face not only to our allies in Israel, but also to Jewish Canadians—just five months after the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.
But our community can draw strength from our strong, united response in this moment of truth for Canada’s leaders.
In recent days, Jews and allies across Canada mobilized against the motion, including through the efforts of Federation CJA, our advocacy agent the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), partner Federations, and other Jewish organizations. As just one example of our community’s strength, in a matter of days we collectively sent more than 900,000 emails to MPs through CIJA’s action alert system.
This strong, vocal stand was instrumental in ensuring a key clause—unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state—was cut from the motion in a last-minute amendment. This removed a critical demand of the anti-Israel movement, one that would have contradicted Canada’s longstanding policy that Palestinian statehood can only be reached through Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Importantly, the motion was also amended to call for the release of all hostages and demand that Hamas lay down its arms.
Despite these changes, last night’s vote reflects something we’ve seen far too often since October 7th: the shameful accommodation of radical voices. We are concerned that this motion could be used to further embolden the antisemitic protests targeting the Jewish community under the guise of demonstrating against Israel. This is all the more worrisome after we worked so hard to confront the aggressive protesters, here in Montreal, alongside CIJA, through our engagement on many fronts including the recent court injunction, renewed this past Friday.
Our community will never stop fighting for the truth, for our values as Jews, and for the principles that have been core to Canadian democracy. Because to be Jewish has always meant to fight for what’s right, even when the odds are against us.
We will do so with profound appreciation for those MPs who opposed last night’s motion—particularly the Conservative caucus, as well as three members of the Liberal caucus, including Mount Royal MP Anthony Housefather for his longstanding and principled position in standing up for our Canadian Jewish community and standing with Israel.
Let’s be clear. We are profoundly disappointed by this vote. The appearance of rewarding terrorists for their heinous acts on October 7, is a reprehensible stance that does not advance the peace process and does not bring home the hostages. True peace can only be achieved through direct, bilateral negotiations. Israel, the sole democratic beacon in the Middle East, deserves to live in peace and security, free from the threat of a terrorist entity on its doorstep.
Let us aspire towards a future guided by democratic principles, where every child is nurtured with respect and tolerance, ensuring a legacy of peace and prosperity in a secure environment for Israel and her neighbours.
There’s much more work to be done. This includes taking action against Canadian funding for UNRWA, which CIJA will be challenging in court to prevent our tax dollars from flowing to the agency. We take strength from the thousands of community members and allies who sent emails or called MPs to oppose this unacceptable motion.
Thank you.
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