Montreal council to vote on motion calling for suspension of ties with Israel

Montreal’s municipal council voted on a solidarity motion with the Palestinian people on Monday night. The motion, introduced by the opposition party Projet Montréal, garnered support from 54 councillors while six voted against it. Originally, the motion advocated denouncing the Palestinian regime as an apartheid state and a genocide, while also calling for the city to suspend ties with Israel.

The current governing party, Ensemble Montreal, amended the original proposal to include more focus on diversity and inclusion, and to remove most references to genocide and the calls to sever ties with Israel. Councillor Nathalie Goulet, the mover of the original motion, expressed disappointment with the amendments but considered leaving a mark important.

A crowd of protesters cheered and supported her as she moved through the council chamber. Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada of the governing party argued that it was not the city’s responsibility to denounce international conflicts, suggesting that this be left to the federal government. Councillor Ericka Alneus, the leader of the opposition, emphasized that international conflicts have a real impact on the community.

When the motion was first presented, Montreal Anti-Apartheid, a campaign launched during the 2025 municipal elections, backed it. However, its demands differed from the broader campaign's goals, which included divesting from Israeli entities, boycotting Israeli representatives, and providing more support to Palestinian refugees.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, a group advocating for Canadian Jewish communities, urged councillors to reject the motion, citing fears of heightened divisions in the city. Over 700 Quebec artists and organizations had pledged support for the motion, highlighting the diverse backing it received.