Montreal council passes amended Middle East motion after cutting call to break Israel ties

Montreal city council adopted an amended motion on the Middle East conflict, stripping out initial proposals to sever ties with Israel or accuse it of apartheid and genocide. The final version, passed 54-6, expresses solidarity with Palestinian people and civilian victims, calls for respect for international law, and supports judicial processes examining possible violations in Gaza. The Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs acknowledged the removal of controversial clauses while remaining vigilant.

Montreal city council adopted an amended motion regarding the Middle East conflict on Monday, August 24, 2026, by a 54-6 vote. The final version stripped out initial opposition proposals from Projet Montréal that called on the city to sever institutional ties with Israel or accuse the state of apartheid and genocide. The original proposal sparked intense debate over the proper scope of municipal governance. Projet Montréal Councilor Nathalie Goulet defended the motion by drawing on historical precedents, stating, "We have a duty to humanity." Fellow councilor Alex Norris argued for consistency in municipal foreign policy stances, saying, "If we condemn crimes against humanity when Russia commits them, we must condemn them when Israel commits them too." Opponents argued that global geopolitics falls outside municipal jurisdiction and risks inflaming community tensions. Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada maintained that local leaders must focus on municipal responsibilities. The final text states that the city council expresses "solidarity with the Palestinian people as well as all civilian victims of hostilities" in the Middle East, calls for respect for international law, and supports any judicial process examining possible violations in Gaza. The Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) acknowledged the removal of controversial clauses while criticizing the broader political discourse and remaining "extremely vigilant against any possible attempt that could once again weaken Montreal's social fabric."