Montreal Mayor Opposes Motion to Sever Ties With Israel

Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada opposed a city council motion on Monday, August 24, 2026, that sought to suspend institutional ties with the Israeli government, its institutions, and its municipalities. The proposal, introduced by the official opposition party Projet Montréal, characterized Israel as an apartheid regime committing genocide in Palestine and called for a severance of links until Israel returns to internationally recognized borders.

Martinez Ferrada argued that the city council has little influence over foreign policy and must prioritize social cohesion, particularly amid a reported rise in antisemitism. She stated that determining foreign policy is the responsibility of the Government of Canada rather than the municipal government.

The motion drew sharp criticism from the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and Federation CJA, which labeled the proposal incendiary. These organizations argued that the motion imports a foreign conflict into local politics while the city faces urgent crises in housing and homelessness. They further noted that the proposal failed to identify Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Conversely, the motion received support from the Montreal Anti-Apartheid campaign and over 700 Quebec artists, who viewed the action as a necessary step toward municipal accountability regarding the war in Gaza. Separately, the council reviewed a motion denouncing antisemitic acts, including synagogue firebombings, for further debate by the agglomeration council for the Island of Montreal.