Montreal Backs Away From Anti-israel Motion

Montreal City Council backed away from a much tougher proposal targeting Israel, removing its most controversial parts before the final vote.

The original motion would have called Israel an “apartheid” state and accused it of “genocide” in Gaza. It also called for Montreal to cut official ties with Israeli institutions and municipalities and stop inviting Israeli officials to City Hall events.

But those measures were removed before the final vote. The council instead passed a much more limited motion expressing solidarity with Palestinians and civilians affected by the war.

The final version passed 54–6.

In other words: Montreal did not vote to cut ties with Israel. It voted for a toned-down statement about the conflict after removing the measures that would have taken direct action against Israel.

Shopify President Harley Finkelstein, who had opposed the original proposal, welcomed the outcome, writing: “Common sense prevailed.”