{
  "id": 2831727,
  "title": "Ottawa mayoral cadidate promises to raise Palestinian flag at city hall if elected",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/ottawa-mayoral-cadidate-promises-to-raise-palestinian-flag-at-city",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-23T17:42:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-906351"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ottawa's mayoral candidate Neil Saravanamuttoo has vowed to raise the Palestinian flag at City Hall if elected, stating that the situation in Gaza constitutes a genocide. Saravanamuttoo, an economist and podcaster, made the pledge in a campaign video posted on social media, adding that leaders in positions of authority have a responsibility to call out injustice. He has been clear about his position in interviews, saying he wants to make it known that Gaza is a genocide and that he agrees with the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry's findings. Community members have expressed concern over the conflict in Gaza, and Saravanamuttoo has pledged to stand against Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian discrimination, and antisemitism. However, his stance has received backlash from some, including Richard Robertson of B'nai Brith Canada, who stated that it is distressing for a mayoral candidate to make the Israel-Palestine conflict a focal point of his platform.",
  "summary": "In the video address filmed outside the site of the Ottawa Palestinian Festival, Saravanamuttoo stated that leaders in positions of authority have a responsibility to call out injustice.",
  "key_points": [
    "Saravanamuttoo calls Gaza situation a genocide, supports UN inquiry findings.",
    "Stance draws backlash from some, including B nai Brith Canada's Richard Robertson."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}