Toronto mayor says raising Israeli flag at city hall ceremony is 'divisive'
Toronto's mayor said she decided not to attend a city hall ceremony marking Israel's national day on Tuesday because an event where the Israeli flag is raised is currently "divisive" due to the war in Gaza.
Olivia Chow told reporters it was "pretty clear" the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas had caused deep fissures in the city, citing waves of demonstrations since the violence began on Oct. 7.
"I think it’s a bit divisive because there’s a war going on," Chow said of the flag raising.
"Emotions are very high and I think it's important that we hear each other. Be empathetic."
In a statement earlier this month, Chow acknowledged "the pain and anguish many Torontonians are feeling over the war in Gaza," and called for an immediate ceasefire and the return of all hostages held by Hamas.
Chow noted Tuesday that Toronto's mayor does not decide which flags are flown at city hall events and such requests are approved by the protocol office following public submissions.
She said she also doesn't typically go to flag-raising ceremonies because they are so frequent.
May 14 marks the anniversary of the day in 1948 when the state of Israel was proclaimed, an event often recognized in ceremonies around the world.
But Israel's war in Gaza has brought added scrutiny to the anniversary this year, including in Ottawa where an Israeli flag was also flying above city hall but there was no public ceremony to mark the occasion after officials raised concern about a risk to public safety.
Palestinians mark the day of Israel's founding as the Nakba, Arabic for catastrophe. It's an event that is at the core of their national struggle when some 700,000 Palestinians — a majority of the prewar population — fled or were driven from their homes before and during the 1948 war that followed Israel’s establishment.
On Tuesday, there was an Israeli flag-raising event at the Ontario legislature as well.
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner addressed the crowd, as did Stephen Blais from the Liberal Party. A handful of pro-Palestinian protesters showed up and chanted in front of a line of police officers, but the event ended without issue.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford – who was at an unrelated event elsewhere in the province – said he was joining the celebrations.
"As we pray for peace in the region, I want to send my best wishes to everyone celebrating Israel’s Independence Day," he wrote.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7029443.1725744633!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Police release video of Toronto plaza shooting that killed university student
A university student from Brampton was killed when two shooters fired indiscriminately into a crowded plaza in Toronto last month in what police say was a 'cowardly act.'
BREAKING Numerous people shot in Kentucky near Interstate 75, officials say
Several people have been shot near Interstate 75 in Laurel County, Kentucky, according to the Laurel County Sheriff’s office.
The iPhone is getting a 'glow' up. What to expect from Apple's Monday event
Apple excited fans with its vision for its 'Apple Intelligence' artificial intelligence system earlier this year. Now, it's time for the company to prove it really works.
No more porta-potties at B.C. construction sites starting Oct. 1
What some B.C. construction workers describe as the worst aspect of their jobs will be coming to an end next month, the province announced.
'Hopeless and helpless': Regina mother seeks help to treat rare spinal disease
Mary Grace Rico is seeking help in getting treatment for a rare spinal condition.
'Extremely vigorous' wildfire activity in central B.C. prompts crews to back off for safety
The wildfire fight in central B.C. intensified Friday, according to officials.
Trump campaigns in Wisconsin just days ahead of debate with Harris
With just days to go before his first — and likely only — debate against U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris, former U.S. president Donald Trump leaned into his familiar grievances about everything from his indictments to the border as he campaigned in one of the most deeply Republican swaths of battleground Wisconsin.
They were due to leave for their dream cruise in May. Three months on they’re still stuck at the departure port
It was the years-long cruise that was supposed to set sail, but saw its departure postponed… postponed… and postponed again.