By Joseph Marshall
A controversial motion that would have called on the City of Montreal to sever institutional ties with Israel has been withdrawn from Monday night’s city council agenda following days of intense public pressure and lobbying efforts.
The motion, introduced by opposition party Projet Montréal, was scheduled to be debated at the June 15 council meeting. It called on the city to recognize what supporters described as a genocide in Gaza and to suspend Montreal’s institutional relationships with Israel.
Shortly before the meeting, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and Federation CJA issued a joint statement announcing that the motion had been removed from the agenda.
“CIJA and Federation CJA take note of the withdrawal from tonight’s municipal council agenda of the inflammatory, divisive and unacceptable motion proposed by Projet Montréal,” the organizations said.
The two groups credited the decision to a significant mobilization effort by members of the Jewish community and other Montrealers who contacted elected officials in opposition to the measure.
“This change strongly demonstrates that the citizen mobilization of recent days against this motion has borne fruit,” the statement said.
The proposed resolution had generated fierce debate across Montreal. Supporters argued that the city should take a stand on the war in Gaza, while opponents questioned both the substance of the motion and whether a municipal government should be involving itself in international conflicts.
Jewish organizations argued that the motion would do nothing to address local concerns while further inflaming tensions within Montreal at a time of rising social division. Federation CJA and CIJA urged residents to contact councillors and demand that the motion be withdrawn or defeated.
The withdrawal represents a significant setback for Projet Montréal, which has sought to position itself as a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause. However, the issue may not be settled.
In their statement, Federation CJA and CIJA warned that another attempt to bring forward a similar motion could occur as early as August.
“Unfortunately, another attempt by Projet Montréal is expected in August,” the organizations stated, urging municipal officials to remain vigilant and focus instead on issues such as public safety and combating hatred.
As of publication, neither Projet Montréal nor city officials had publicly explained why the motion was removed from the agenda. It also remains unclear whether the withdrawal is temporary, whether the motion will be amended, or whether supporters intend to reintroduce it at a future council meeting.
For now, however, a vote that had threatened to become one of the most divisive municipal debates of the year will not take place.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of Montreal City Council is expected to be held in August.
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