OPINION: Montreal Hands Hamas the Mic

By Howie Silbiger, Editor-in-Chief

Canada has crossed the line. On October 7, the anniversary of the bloodiest day in modern Jewish history, Montreal will hand its most famous public square to supporters of Hamas. Place des Arts, once a stage for art and culture, will become a rally ground for terror. The organizers have confirmed it. The city has approved it. And the country that now recognizes a Palestinian state is giving the green light to those who celebrated the slaughter of Jews.

The Palestinian Youth Movement and Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights have plastered the city with posters calling for “Resistance Until Liberation.” They are not talking about peace. They are talking about the elimination of Israel. Their slogans are lifted straight from Hamas propaganda. Their leaders post videos praising the “martyrs of the struggle.” They cheer the very killers who filmed themselves dragging Israeli women through Gaza. And now they are marching in the center of Montreal with the blessing of Canada’s leaders.

The hypocrisy is beyond words. A country that calls itself democratic is now honoring the same ideology that murdered concert-goers and burned families alive. The same government that recognized a Palestinian state while hostages remain in tunnels is pretending this is about human rights. It is not. It is about appeasement. Recognition was a reward to terrorism. This rally is its celebration. The message could not be clearer: kill Jews, and Canada will give you a flag, a rally, and a state.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has been silent. His office pretends it cannot interfere with “free expression.” Yet his government just endorsed the creation of a Palestinian state whose leadership includes Hamas. He cannot separate the two. When he recognized that state, he legitimized the movement that birthed this rally. When he stood beside those words, he stood beside this hatred. He opened the door, and now Hamas sympathizers are walking through it, waving their colors in the heart of Montreal.

Mayor Valérie Plante has not lifted a finger. She knows what this event represents, and she is allowing it anyway. She would never allow white supremacists to march with symbols of genocide, but Hamas flags do not bother her. Fady Dagher’s police will guard the perimeter, pretending neutrality while terror symbols fly. They will say they are keeping the peace, when in truth they are protecting hate.

Anthony Housefather has been almost alone in saying what needs to be said. He called out the radical student groups planning “celebrations” of October 7. He warned that this is not solidarity, it is glorification of murder. He was right. The rally’s organizers have made no secret of their allegiance. They do not hide their slogans. They do not deny their message. They boast about it. They thank Montreal for “standing with the resistance.” The only ones who do not understand are those who do not want to.

October 7 will not just be a test of Montreal. It will be a mirror held up to Canada. We will see exactly what kind of nation we have become. A nation that once fought fascism now smiles politely at those who idolize it. A nation that claims to stand against terror now rewards it with recognition and legitimacy. And a nation that once promised Jews safety now allows the glorification of their killers in its streets.

When the chants bounce off Place des Arts and the green flags rise, remember this moment. Remember that it was allowed, permitted, and endorsed under the cover of democracy. Remember that Canada recognized a Palestinian state while its cities became platforms for Hamas supporters. Remember who watched, who spoke, and who hid behind the word freedom while hate danced in the square.

October 7 will not be a rally. It will be a message that in Canada, the murder of Jews can be commemorated and called justice.