By: Joseph Marshall
In a rare move, Côte Saint-Luc municipal council has unleashed a ferocious attack on Mark Carney’s Liberal government for its plan to recognize a Palestinian state as early as September, warning it’s a gift to terrorists.
In a unanimous vote Monday night, council passed a resolution condemning the move. But the real fireworks came after the meeting, when Councillor Lior Azerad and Mayor Mitchell Brownstein took to Councillor Mike Cohen’s Instagram account to torch the federal plan in a blunt, no-holds-barred video message.
“We can’t remain silent,” Azerad declared to camera. “The fabric of society is being torn apart. This tells terrorists they’re winning. It emboldens them.”
Brownstein went even harder, saying: “We have to get rid of Hamas and replace them with a government we can negotiate with. Recognizing a Palestinian state right now? All it does is embolden the haters.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada’s intention two weeks ago, amid rising tensions that have seen multiple attacks on Jews across the country, including the beating of a 35 year old hasidic man in front of his children and the pelting of Jewish groups with urine filled baloons at the gay pride parade. The announcement sparked outrage across the country, but Côte Saint-Luc’s statement may be the loudest municipal roar yet.
The resolution itself may not change federal policy, but councillors say it sends an unmistakable message: In Côte Saint-Luc, premature recognition of a Palestinian state isn’t diplomacy, it’s capitulation.
The city will now send the resolution directly to Ottawa. Whether the Prime Minister’s Office responds or not, Côte Saint-Luc has made its position crystal clear and it’s not pulling any punches.
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