Hampstead, Que., Bewohner stellt die israelische Flagge vor dem Rathaus heraus

I expected this to be bad-faith opposition to the national flag raising that many towns, provinces, etc do on celebration and recognition days for various nations. I that case, I think opposition would have been a tad much, but maybe not given current world events and the temperature of the issues involved.

Then I read the article, and this double-speak doesn’t sit well coming from mayor Jeremy Levi:

„In an email dated Aug. 1 and shared with CBC News, Levi responded to Ben David that he should have brought the matter to city council and that he never received any complaints from residents about removing the Israeli flag. He encouraged Ben David to contact city councillors on the matter as they control the vote.“

Contrasted with his earlier hardline (and likely more genuine) social post, and it seems completely disingenuous:

„I will never take down the Israeli flag. If that’s a problem for you, vote me out next election. If standing with Israel costs me the next election, so be it. I’ll wear it as a badge of honour. The flag stays.“

This actually seems like a good-faith complaint from a resident of the neighbourhood, Adam Ben David, who has the following concerns: „Raising the flag at town hall effectively removes each Hampstead citizen’s ability to express their personal stance on Israel.“

Frankly, having now read the available articles, I completely agree. Yes, the neighbourhood is 60% Jewish. So what? Almost half my Jewish friends oppose some aspect of BB’s government/actions, and/or the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Add the very diverse and conflicting feelings (justifiably) held by other Canadians, and it seems to me that this is an inappropriate abuse a Canadian office in order to privilege either A) a majority religion within a town or B) an inherently divisive position on a foreign conflict.

Restore the city flag, remove the Israeli flag. Simple as. No more double-speak, your motives are transparent and highly questionable, mayor Jeremy Levi.