Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Calgary mayor says she won't attend Hanukkah ceremony because it's too political

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 07 Dec, 2023 05:32 PM
  • Calgary mayor says she won't attend Hanukkah ceremony because it's too political

The mayor of Alberta's largest city says she won't attend the annual menorah lighting ceremony to mark the beginning of Hanukkah because she believes it's too political, but her decision led to a backlash from the Jewish community and Conservative politicians.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek posted a statement on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, saying Thursday's ceremony at city hall has been repositioned as an event to support Israel.

The Calgary Jewish Federation said in an email to its community members that it's hurt and disappointed by the decision.

"As always, and particularly at this time, our community does not waver in our support of Israel, nor will our community forget that 140 Israeli hostages still remain in captivity," the statement said. 

"Our yearning for peace in Israel and Gaza does not run counter to our support of (the land of) Israel, but rather are inextricably linked."

The federation added on social media that the mayor's decision is also harmful to the community.

"In more than 35 years, a mayor has never chosen to miss this annual celebration during which we welcome in the light from the darkness," it said in a post on X. 

Earlier this week, councillors in Moncton, N.B., reversed a decision that would have ended a 20-year tradition of lighting a Hanukkah menorah in front of city hall. They voted unanimously Monday to immediately display the menorah — and a Christian nativity scene — after a decision last week to scrap the religious symbols prompted an outcry.

The Calgary mayor's decision also led to criticism from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and nine federal Conservative politicians from the city.

"I disagree with the mayor," Smith told reporters during an unrelated news conference.

She said the United Conservative government will have a representative in attendance.

"We stand by the Jewish community at this time and we want to make sure that they know they are valued by us, so we will take part in their cultural event," Smith said.

Pat Kelly, chairman of the federal Conservative caucus, said Calgary MPs are also troubled by the decision.

"Her decision to withdraw could dangerously normalize antisemitism at a time when, across campuses and communities, Jewish Canadians are already feeling threatened," he said in a statement.

Calgary MP Greg McLean said he and some of his colleagues regularly go to events at synagogues and mosques to make sure they are hearing everyone's voices.

"We're all public leaders. This is a public event where you should show leadership and continue to be there. We don't get to choose times to govern," he said in an interview in Ottawa.

"This is a difficult time, but we face up to this all of the time to make sure we don't divide ourselves and our constituents and their communities, and make sure we participate in their cultural and community events."

Gondek was asked about her decision Thursday morning after attending a housing conference in Calgary.

"I feel gutted by this," she told reporters. "I am here in this role to bring communities together and we're at a time when communities are fracturing among themselves. This is some of the most devastating stuff I have seen in our city.

"I'm not sure how we're going to get through this without a little bit of compassion for each other."

She added in her letter that the changed nature of the event creates a divide and forces people to choose sides.

"There are no sides to choose when terrorists incite violence by murdering innocent Israelis, knowing retaliation will follow and lead to the murder of innocent Palestinians," wrote Gondek.

"It is absolutely possible to condemn acts of violence and war without choosing one community over another. We have a moral imperative to do so."

This week marks the second month of a brutal conflict that has killed thousands of civilians, including the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants and Israel's swift and sustained retaliatory war in the Gaza Strip.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

No Canadians among hundreds of foreigners preparing to exit Gaza Strip

No Canadians among hundreds of foreigners preparing to exit Gaza Strip
The Palestinian death toll in the Israel-Hamas war has reached 8,805, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza. In the occupied West Bank, 130 Palestinians have been killed in violence and Israeli raids. More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, most of them civilians slain in the initial Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. In addition, around 240 hostages were taken from Israel into Gaza by the militant group.

No Canadians among hundreds of foreigners preparing to exit Gaza Strip

Federal government to level out number of new permanent residents in Canada in 2026

Federal government to level out number of new permanent residents in Canada in 2026
New targets tabled in Parliament show the government plans to level out the number of new permanent residents to Canada in 2026, forecasting an end to record-breaking year-over-year immigration. Immigration Minister Marc Miller submitted new targets for the next three years, which call for the number of new permanent residents to hold steady at 500,000 in 2026.  

Federal government to level out number of new permanent residents in Canada in 2026

B.C. Coroner's death panel recommends issuing drugs without prescription to stop ODs

B.C. Coroner's death panel recommends issuing drugs without prescription to stop ODs
A death review panel from the British Columbia Coroners Service is recommending community groups be allowed to hand out drugs without a prescription in an attempt to stop the relentless overdose death toll. The panel's report coincided with the monthly overdose death toll of 175 people in September, which the coroners service says is a 10 per cent drop from the same month a year ago, but still equal to 5.8 deaths a day across B.C. 

B.C. Coroner's death panel recommends issuing drugs without prescription to stop ODs

Vehicle thief arrested in Abbotsford

Vehicle thief arrested in Abbotsford
A woman accused of stealing nearly two dozen vehicles -- many of them work vans loaded with expensive tools -- has been arrested in Abbotsford. Police in that Fraser Valley city say charges against Charlene Williams are linked to thefts stretching back to January.

Vehicle thief arrested in Abbotsford

Former B.C. premier John Horgan will be Canada's next ambassador to Germany

Former B.C. premier John Horgan will be Canada's next ambassador to Germany
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that former British Columbia premier John Horgan has been appointed as Canada's next ambassador to Germany.  A statement from the Prime Minister's Office says Horgan has a proven track record of dedicated public service and will provide strategic advice to Trudeau in his new role. 

Former B.C. premier John Horgan will be Canada's next ambassador to Germany

Reasons for releasing Chinatown stabbing suspect should be public: B.C. Review Board

Reasons for releasing Chinatown stabbing suspect should be public: B.C. Review Board
A British Columbia man accused of a triple stabbing in Vancouver's Chinatown in September has lost his bid to seal a document that identified him as a "significant threat" before he was released from a forensic psychiatric hospital. A B.C. Review Board panel said the presumption of the board's open process overrides Blair Donnelly's concerns that releasing the documents would invade his personal privacy or prejudice an upcoming trial. 

Reasons for releasing Chinatown stabbing suspect should be public: B.C. Review Board