City of Montreal approves motion, removes "genocide," "apartheid," and cutting ties with Israel

The Projet Montréal motion to cut ties with Israel became a City of Montreal motion that still lives up to its original title, but more in keeping with — to quote one of its passages — “the promotion of peace, human dignity, respect for human rights, and living together.” Council voted to approve the new motion with “genocide,” “apartheid,” and the call to cut ties with Israel all removed.

Meeting with reporters just ahead of the council meeting, Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada underscored her position that she says she has held since her election campaign: that it is not the municipal administration’s responsibility to take a position on foreign policy.

“We have the responsibility to espouse positions that bring people together,” she said. “We cannot ignore the fact that in Montreal, and in fact, everywhere there has been a real rise in antisemitism. There is also a real concern, with citizens and their families who live with this conflict every day. And our responsibility as an institution it to assure that, even through this difficult conversation, we bring people together.”

She indicated that the federal and provincial governments who have diplomatic relations even point out Quebec’s recently opened government office in Tel Aviv.

“I have always been very clear throughout my election campaign,” the mayor added, “It is not the City of Montreal’s job to dictate foreign policy.” The city’s responsibility, she said, “is making sure that we’re working towards services to citizens, making sure that we have social cohesion and people are respected, and they are not in fear of going to school or going to place of worship. That’s always been my position.”

Paola Samuel, Regional Director of B’nai Brith for Quebec and Atlantic Canada, said she was encouraged by what she heard. “She echoed what we have been saying for months,” Samuel said, “that there is no purview for city council to comment, to make statements, to pass a motion on something that is federal jurisdiction.” The Projet Montréal motion, Samuel added, is a divisive motion that should never have been brought up to council in the first place.

The debate on the motion came after a tense public question period. Several Montrealers showed up and registered to ask questions. But of the first six questions, three were already about the motion — two from supporters and one from an opposer. Council rules dictate that no more than three questions can be asked on any one issue. Hence, council president Chantal Rossi had to make it clear several times that no further questions on the motion would be answered. Some citizens tried, but Rossi cut them off.

The debate started with emotional arguments from Projet Montréal councillors Nathalie Goulet, Alex Norris, Ericka Alneus, and Martine Musau Muele, followed by response by the mayor.

After debate, amendments to the original motion were presented, namely, the removal of the terms genocide and apartheid, and removal of the demand that the city cut ties with Israel. Projet Montréal councillors expressed their disappointment. But then council voted 38 to 22 to accept the amendments. And then the motion passed 54 to 6.

A disappointed Alex Norris commiserated with an equally disappointed but small bunch of supporters outside city hall, where they banged drums and chanted slogans.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs released a statement after the council noting “elected officials have come to their senses by removing many of the most incendiary and unacceptable aspects” of the original motion, adding “CIJA will remain extremely vigilant against any possible attempt that could once again weaken Montreal’s social fabric.” n