Jewish Organization Criticizes Milton Councilor’s Motion on Gaza Conflict

A motion introduced at Milton Council has sparked national attention, drawing a strong response from the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA).

Milton Ward 4 Regional Councilor Sameera Ali submitted a notice of motion for the November 3 council meeting, urging the federal government to:

• Implement a two-way arms embargo with Israel,

• Expand the Gaza Temporary Resident Visa program, and

• Endorse the Apartheid-Free Communities Pledge, which calls on local governments to withdraw support for what it describes as “Israel’s Apartheid Regime.”

The motion, titled “Advocacy for Humanitarian Action and Federal Policy Reform Regarding the Situation in Gaza,” aims to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. However, days before it was set to be discussed, Josh Landau, CIJA’s Ontario Director of Government Relations, sent a letter to Mayor Gordon Krantz and council members, urging them to vote against the proposal.

This marks the second Gaza-related motion to appear before Milton Council in the past year. The first, passed unanimously in June, called for an end to military operations, the release of hostages, and increased humanitarian aid access.

Councilor Ali said her latest motion builds on that earlier stance:

“The war in Gaza has not stopped, and the genocide has not stopped. We continue to see people being killed and attacked. Something has to give,” said Ali. “Some may argue this is a federal issue, but the Apartheid-Free Communities Pledge encourages municipalities to take a stand.”

In its letter, CIJA warned that Ali’s motion could “polarize residents and spread misinformation at a time when unity is needed most.” The organization argued that the motion ignores the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, in which more than 1,200 people — including Canadians — were killed, and 251 others were kidnapped.

CIJA emphasized that foreign policy lies within federal jurisdiction and that municipal involvement risks “inflaming local tensions” and “putting vulnerable communities, including Jewish residents, at greater risk.”

Councilor Ali responded by reaffirming her intent:

“They can interpret it as they wish — that’s their right. But this motion is not divisive; it’s about uniting people through humanity.”

A similar motion recently surfaced at Brampton City Council, which was referred to the Interfaith Council after comparable objections from CIJA.

The issue reflects ongoing tension within Milton, which has seen multiple protests related to the Gaza conflict since 2023. In one instance, Councilor John Challinor described a protest that blocked Main Street as “hateful.”

Israel’s military operations in Gaza have continued since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, with over 60,000 Palestinians reported killed, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Despite a declared ceasefire in early October, violence persists in the region.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this news article has been gathered from local news sources. Please refer to the provided references for verification. Click Here. 

Feel free to reach out to us at news@miltonbaithak.ca or follow us on WhatsApp, with any news tips, story ideas, or information you'd like to share. As a dedicated platform focused on advertising and curating news centered around MILTON, we welcome submissions related to businesses, news within the business sector, or inquiries about other people. Our goal is to assist you, whether you're interested in featuring your business or sharing relevant news.