Montreal City Council Rejects Proposal to Sever Ties with Israel, Adopts Softer Statement

The Montreal City Council in Canada voted against a proposal to cut institutional and diplomatic ties with Israel. Instead, the council approved a softened resolution expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and urging federal and provincial governments to show leadership in resolving the conflict. The vote was 54 in favor and 6 against for the softened statement.

Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada and city leadership opposed the original motion and promoted amendments that removed calls to sever ties and deleted accusations against Israel of "apartheid" and "genocide." These amendments passed by a vote of 38 to 22 after a lengthy debate highlighting deep divisions between the opposition camp that initiated the motion and the city leadership.

Mayor Martinez Ferrada emphasized that foreign affairs are not within the local government's remit, stating, "We are not a government with a national perspective on foreign affairs. This is not our role," during a Monday press conference. Outside city hall, anti-Zionist and antisemitic activists shouted slogans like "Shame on you" and "Supporters of genocide" at departing council members, with a heavy police presence.

Jewish organizations, led by B'nai Brith Canada, welcomed the council's decision and warned that municipal involvement in the complex geopolitical conflict exacerbates community tensions and normalizes hatred in public spaces. Conversely, opposition groups and pro-Palestinian activists protested outside city hall, expressing deep disappointment over the softened resolution. Had the original proposal passed, Montreal would have become the largest North American city to sever ties with Israel.