Remembrance Day Disharmony in School 'Inclusivity'

"Over the last few days our school has been the focus of significant public attention due to the recent Remembrance Day events. This has resulted in a  high volume of incoming messages to the school as well as some graffiti on the outside of the school property."

"Fortunately, there has not been any significant disruption to our usual routines and learning environment, thanks in large part to the incredible work of our staff who have continued to focus on our students' educational needs and emotional well-being amidst the external pressures."

"We are committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment where all students feel respected and valued. We are actively working with central school board staff to monitor the situation."

Sir Robert Borden High School Principal Aaron Hobbs

 

"I think they are in general just protesting [demonstration by pro-Palestinian groups in front of her constituency office] but they also want to oppose my position on the inappropriate song on Remembrance Day." 

"I support their right to protest and I am thankful they chose my [riding] office [where their protest took place] and not Sir Robert Borden High School."

Lisa MacLeod, Conservative member of Ontario provincial parliament

Sir Robert Borden High School in Ottawa. Photo by Ashley Fraser/Postmedia

Fallout from Principal Hobbs' controversial decision to highlight an Arabic song -- associated with Palestinian support for the terrorist group Hamas in the wake of its violent incursion into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, when thousands of terrorists went on a campaign of gross carnage in mass rape, mutilation, slaughter of Israeli children, men and women and hostage-taking as a 'just' reaction to the Israeli 'occupation' of Gaza in self-protection against its violent predatory mission to destroy the Jewish state -- featured at Canada's solemn Remembrance Day ceremony at the school, is ongoing.

 

That the school principal viewed it as 'inclusive' to feature an Arabic-language Palestinian song throughout the day's ceremonies at the school, was at the very least an 'exclusion' exercise, in the reality that the school hosts a large number of Jewish students, who were puzzled at the inappropriateness of introducing something so obviously political and one-sided to a ceremony dedicated to the memory of Canadian soldiers who fell in military duty to defend and protect democracy against the forces of fascism.

 

That none of the teaching staff at the high school appear to have cautioned their principal against his decision to have the song played amidst the three presentations at the school for varying grade levels is itself peculiar. The principal initially explained that it was one of the teachers who had suggested that the song might be a good fit for the ceremonies taking place at the school for Remembrance Day. What has resulted days later is the discovery that someone vandalized the school sign with large red lettering reading "Hamas High". 

"We acknowledge that Remembrance Day is a solemn occasion, where the focus should remain on honouring those who have sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we hold dear."

"The inclusion of a song that could be seen as politically charged was not in line with the values of respect and unity that we strive to uphold at this school."

School Principal Aaron Hobbs

The controversy ensuing from the principal's poorly-thought-out, and obvious political messaging saw condemnation from parents whose children attend the school, as well as local, regional and national politicians. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has launched an investigation into the incident as the principal, expressing mortification and remorse reiterated that his purpose was to extend to the entire school population a spirit of 'inclusion'; a woke sentiment that seldom works well in its canted practise. 

 

A demonstration by pro-Palestinian groups was planned for the school,  which social media posts publicized as a rally to end "anti-Palestinian racism", and to "stand in solidarity with the students" following the principal's issuance of a public apology for deciding to include the Arabic protest song as a feature of Remembrance Day at the school. Other parents from the school planned for a counter- demonstration to walk their children home through the protest. The Ottawa Police Service were present to ensure an orderly and peaceful event took place. 

 

The location of the rally changed and shifted outside the constituency office of outspoken member of provincial parliament Lisa MacLeod whose riding it is. She had spoken for the principal to be fired in response to his 'inclusivity' venture. The demonstration resulted in no untoward incidents although police recommended that the riding office be closed during the demonstration. 

 

During the initial event when Jewish students asked for an explanation from the school principal for the reason and purpose of the change, he had responded it had been his intention to open up the ceremony that is usually only about "a white guy who has done something related to the military".  An expression of gross misrepresentation, making light of the sacrifice of thousands of Canadians.

"Remembrance Day is a solemn time to pay tribute to Canadian veterans."

"Including a song associated with one side of an ongoing foreign conflict -- especially one currently contributing to division and tension in our communities -- reflects poor judgement for a public school setting."

Jewish Federation of Ottawa

Graffiti on the sign at Sir Robert Borden High School in Ottawa following a Remembrance Day controversy. Photo by X

To Muslims in Canada as Elsewhere Peace is Disingenuously what Conflict Is, Justice to Them Injustice to Others

"The OCDSB is conducting a thorough investigation into this issue to ensure it is addressed appropriately and meaningfully."

"Student well-being is our priority and we are committed to ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for all students."

"In order to ensure the integrity of the investigation, we will not be commenting further on this matter until the investigation is complete."

Ottawa-Carleton District School Board superintendent of instruction, Walter Piovesan

"The selective outrage and swift backlash reveal a troubling double standard that unfairly targets Palestinian and Arabic cultural expression, framing it as inherently controversial or politically charged."

"[The principal's response] reveals an underlying bias that labels Arabic expression as inappropriate in spaces intended to promote inclusivity and unity, while political calls to dismiss those who embrace diverse voices threaten educators' freedom to genuinely foster inclusivity."

"This prejudice not only marginalizes the Palestinian community further but also undermines Canada's professed commitment to multicultural inclusivity."

Jamila Ewais, spokesperson, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East

"Remembrance Day is about showing gratitude for Fallen Canadian Veterans, not other causes."

"We invite all educators to refer to our new guide so that they can be sure they are following appropriate protocols when planning a Remembrance Day ceremony, including when it comes to music."

Nujma Bond, national spokesperson, Royal Canadian Legion

Frosty poppies sit atop a tombstone on Remembrance Day at the National Military Cemetery in Ottawa. Photo by Sean Kilpatrick /THE CANADIAN PRESS

 

Students of all grade levels on Remembrance Day just past were exposed on three separate occasions at Sir Robert Borden school (named after the Prime Minister who represented Canada during the First World War) in which an Arabic-language anti-Israel, pro-Hamas song popularized in the months following the barbaric attacks on southern Israel by thousands of Palestinian terrorists on October 7 2023, symbolizing, according to the school principal, 'inclusivity and unity' in place of the fusty old white-soldiers protocol followed traditionally for the annual remembrance ceremony.

Upset students and their parents reacted negatively to this surprise replacement of content reflecting remembrance of wars gone by and those who courageously fought for liberty, justice, equality and democracy. The complaints of inappropriate choices by the school administration for the sober and sad event led to the school principal apologizing, no doubt admonished by the school board which itself has launched an investigation of the sensibilities-assaulting event. Initially, when some of the students approached the principal to launch their personal complaints the response was that in the interests of inclusion the program changed from honouring 'white men involved in the military'.

That this happens to be a school with a large Jewish student contingent upon whom a song that celebrates yet another lethal Palestinian offensive against Jewish civilians in Israel, represented an exercise in malevolent mischief. The school principal, Aaron Hobbs wrote: "The inclusion of a song that could be seen as politically charged was not in line with the values of respect and unity that we strive to uphold at this school."  As opposed to his earlier statement of the purpose of Remembrance Day being about "a white guy who has done something related to the military".

Member of provincial parliament for the riding of Nepean where the school sits, called for the principal who made this decision to downplay respect for Canada's veterans -- the very purpose of Remembrance Day -- to be disciplined. It was her hope that the school board's thorough investigation  was seriously meant. "If this is just an attempt to suffocate the story and contain public input then we will not be any further ahead and that will be regret[able]", she stated.

A number of students had taken the initiative to do a little detective work to trace the song, using a phone app that took them to music platforms that featured artwork of Palestinian protests and songs written by Mahim Ahmed that are highly political. As was the song Haza Salam, translated as 'This is Peace' which has become identified with Palestinian protests of Israel and the conflict in Gaza.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board said it is conducting a 'thorough investigation' into the including of an Arabic song during a Remembrance Day ceremony at Sir Robert Borden High School earlier this week. (Google Maps)

Remembrance Day too Is Claimed by the Muslim/Palestinian Lobby

"It has come to my attention that the inclusion of the song "Haza Salam' in the program caused significant distress to some members of our school community. For this, I would like to offer my apologies."

"We acknowledge that Remembrance Day is a solemn occasion, where the focus should remain on honouring those who have sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we hold dear."

"The inclusion of a song that could be seen as politically charged was not in line with the values of respect and unity that we strive to uphold at this school." 

"We recognize that the song chosen -- while intended to highlight themes of peace -- also inadvertently caused offence and discomfort to some students, and for that, we regret our choice."

Sir Robert Borden school principal Aaron Hobbs, letter to parents

"It is hard to believe I'm hearing this at an assembly in Canada for Remembrance Day."

"It was weird. I was confused. What is this song saying?"

Unnamed student

"There was only one song. There were no other ethnic songs, or other songs, just one. It was played three times."

"They chose an Arabic song about peace for Gaza as the only song to play for a Remembrance Day service."

Unnamed parent

"I have a great uncle who was in the war, in the air force, and he was shot down over Italy and taken prisoner. This service took away from the events of the war, it took away for the sacrifices of my great uncle and others. I became very emotional."

"This day is supposed to be about remembrance. When I think of everything my uncle went through and still survived and went on to raise a family -- my child got none of that at school today."

"It [the school Remembrance Day ceremony] ignored my great uncle's memory. It is not inclusive when  you are excluding others."

Erica Phillips, mother of student enrolled in the school

 

The school principal, when first approached for an explanation, seemed fairly flippant, saying that the song had been recommended to him by one of his teaching staff, and that in the interests of inclusiveness he felt it was a good idea to give it air, to the exclusion of any other music to highlight the traditional Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11. It was, in fact, a Palestinian protest anthem, closely associated with the anti-Israel movement. On YouTube, recordings are accompanied by "Free Palestine" imagery. You can't get more exclusionary and political than that.

While defending the song's premier place on the school's program for Remembrance Day as a method of bringing "diversity and inclusion" to the ceremony, the resulting push-back from parents and local MPP Lisa MacLeod, and perhaps a bit of a talk-to from school board administrators who view this as  yet another headache in  the public eye, he reverted to an attitude that appears on the surface to be contrite. MPP MacLeod wrote on Facebook in condemnation of the situation: "To my Jewish constituents, I am sorry your kids are going through this."

 

The decision to use an Arabic-language Palestinian protest song for the Remembrance Day presentation soundtrack certainly did not sit well with Jewish students, nor their parents, and possibly other Canadian traditionalists who honour Canada's war dead and its veterans. A slide show of Canadian soldiers and expressions of peace had the song, Haza Salam (This is Peace) as the background music for different student age groups in three distinct ceremonies at the school. Some of the Jewish students complained to the principal following the event. 

But the principal chose to defend the selection, stating the purpose of diversity and inclusion to an annual event usually featuring "a white guy who has done something related to the military" was a prompt. A 'closed door' meeting soon afterward appeared to have influenced the man to send the school community an email of apology. A few students had made use of a phone app to find the song on music platforms with artwork of Palestinian protests.

 

The song by Mahim Ahmed was released shortly following the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks on southern Israel, led by Hamas. It is identified with protests by Palestinians centering around Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza between the Israel Defense Forces and Palestinian terrorist groups like Islamic Jihad, PLFP and Hamas. And by extension, Hezbollah in Lebanon. Versions of the song online featured in videos show montages of photographs of Gaza casualties, along with Palestinian protests. There is no one in Canada innocent of the knowledge of Palestinian victimhood protests.

"No one would allow a song in Hebrew to be played, even if it was called Shalom (Peace), at a Canadian Remembrance Day ceremony."

"It should have been a song in English or French or an Indigenous language."

"Something is wrong at the top."

Unnamed (Jewish) parent

When principal Hobbs was approached by Jewish students who reproached him for the inclusion of an Arab protest-against-Israel song at a Canadian war memorial event, he defended the choice by disagreeing that there was any problem with the song and its central place in the ceremony. The song, explained Lisa MacLeod MPP for the riding of Nepean, failed to agree with the Royal Canadian Legion protocols, besides being distressing to Jewish students.

 

She described speaking with the director of the school board where she "shared my anger, disappointment and, honestly, utter confusion on how Remembrance Day at a school whose namesake was prime minister in World War 1 could get this so wrong." And she took the further step of recommending disciplinary action against the principal. 

 

Hear, hear! Apology and dismissal would do nicely to begin with. MPP MacLeod describes the situation as a “politically charged” move that was “done at the most populated Jewish school in Ottawa”. Unfortunately, the Muslim Advisory Council of Canada and Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East do not agree.

"The selective outrage and swift backlash reveal a troubling double standard that unfairly targets Palestinian and Arabic cultural expression, framing it as inherently controversial or politically charged."

"[The song’s title translates to] This is Peace [and its selection] does not equate to endorsing a political stance."

Jamila Ewais, CJPME Foundation’s anti-racism program

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board said it is conducting a 'thorough investigation' into the including of an Arabic song during a Remembrance Day ceremony at Sir Robert Borden High School earlier this week. (Google Maps)