Refusing to Capitulate to the Howling Mob

Officials gather to mark Israel's Day of Independence at Ottawa City Hall in this 2014 file photograph. Photo by Chris Mikula /The Ottawa Citizen

"The shameless Zionists along with disgraceful city council members are planning to raise the genocide flag in city hall to commemorate the 76 years of occupation, land theft, Zionist terrorism and injustice."

"Genocide Mark has REVERSED the cancellation of the disgusting zionist flag raising ceremony ON NAKBA DAY‼️ The flag raising will be followed up by a “celebration” at noon😐 and it is all being veiled under the disguise of Judaism… So since they follow our page & see what we post, we would like to once again reiterate; JUDAISM YES✅ ZIONISM NO🚫"

"Join us as we raise the honourable Palestinian flag & shed light what the zionist occupation’s “independence” really means‼️"

"A lot of politicians will be in attendance & a lot of zionists will be waving their disgusting flag & celebrating… So email your MP, city councillors or any elected official & let them know that we WILL be naming & shaming any and all politicians taking part in their event."

Ottawa4Palestine

Several days earlier, Ottawa City Hall announced that after much deliberation and no doubt mulling over the threats issued by 'pro-Palestinian'-Hamas groups such as Ottawa4Palestine and in the interests of public safety and security there would be no ceremony accompanying the raising of the Israeli flag as has been the practise for decades. "The City must prioritize the safety of its residents,visitors, and employees", the message read with the additional notation that people should not come out to celebrate at the venue, ostensibly in fear of violence erupting.

Since that declaration of intent and the decision that was reached -- disappointing the Ottawa Jewish community, under duress by the municipality's larger Arab/Muslim population many of whom are disposed to blaming Israel for the conflict that has ensued between Israel and Gaza as a result of the Hamas terrorist group having invaded southern Israel on October 7 when thousands of Hamas operatives along with those of other Palestinian terror groups such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine mass-raped Jewish girls and women, and slaughtered 1,200 Israelis, taking 253 hostages -- Mayor Sutcliffe has exercised himself to some introspection.

 

While he did, at the time of the original decision being declared, also state his own disappointment that he and Ottawa City Council felt it was necessary to heed the threats emanating from 'Palestinian'-defending sources to avoid violent confrontations, commiserating with the antisemitic assaults Jews across Canada and in Ottawa have been subjected to, and deploring the ongoing 'protests' against Zionism, Jews and Israel, he reached a decision where he felt responsible enough that he and City Council decided after all, to reverse their decision.

"Like all residents of our city, Ottawa's Jewish community deserves to gather whenever it chooses in an environment that is free from hate, violence and racism."

"This is fundamental to a city that is free and democratic. Over the past two days, I have listened carefully to members of the community and I agree that they, and everyone in our community, should be able to hold events in public spaces without fear of threats and intimidation. My responsibility is to do everything possible to protect the safety of all members of our community. I've asked the chief of police and city officials to work with the Jewish Federation of Ottawa on a plan for an event to mark Israel's Independence Day while protecting the security and safety of everyone involved."

"We must ensure that members of the Jewish community -- and all residents of our city -- can gather whenever they choose to do so in safety, and free from intimidation and fear."

"We must continue to support our Jewish community which is experiencing increasingly higher levels of antisemitism. Let's all work together to ensure our city is safe and free from violence and racism in all its forms."

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe