Over the last few years, we have seen a rise in hate targeting marginalized folks including Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian and 2SLGBTQ+ communities among others.
Rise in hate
Across the country, antisemitic threats are on the rise, just this week a bomb threat was called into multiple Jewish institutions including synagogues and schools. A few months back, the Synagogue in Montreal I grew up close to and attended Bar Mitzvahs and services at was attacked by a molotov cocktail.
And in Ottawa, since the convoy, we have become no stranger to this as far-right marches continue to target queer and trans folks and spread dangerous conspiracy theories about Jews and Muslims.
That is why it has been extremely heartening to see folks come together to counter these forces. Last July, I was part of a group of community members, parents and students who stood up to transphobic bullies who targeted schools on Broadview in Westboro. The spirit of solidarity was strong that day.
Pride under attack
For the same reason, I am distraught by what we have seen the past week and a half at the expense of Ottawa’s Pride Festival.
As you will have likely heard, Capital Pride released a statement in solidarity with Palestinians. In it, they condemn the October 7 attacks as well as the rise of Islamophobia and antisemitism, call for a release of all hostages and for a ceasefire.
They also condemn Israel for its “endless and brutal campaign in Gaza and mounting violence in the West Bank” and pledge support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign. The statement does not mince words—and they have faced immense scrutiny for it.
It began when the Jewish Federation of Ottawa pulled out of the parade and a slew of other organizations and prominent politicians such as Mayor Mark Sutcliffe soon followed claiming that they know what our community wants.
There is no doubt that Jews have every right to feel unsafe with the very real phenomenon of rising antisemitism. However, I think that people need to be clear as to why they are opposing Capital Pride’s statement.
Solidarity
Is it because it makes Jews unsafe or is it because it makes those who support the government of Israel uncomfortable? Despite what some would have you think, these are also conversations that have been happening within the Jewish community— as many Jews too are on the front lines of the movement calling for a ceasefire and peace and justice for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Instead of critically engaging in these important debates however, many Jews are left feeling silenced, ostracized and shut out by their own community. Instead of seeing Palestinian and Jewish safety as intertwined, many leaders in the community try to pit us against one another, making us feel more unsafe as a result and blurs the important conversation about how to take rising antisemitism seriously.
In asking our city’s leadership to take sides, they are asking them to only serve as leaders for one community.
This ripple effect of silence and ostracization also extends to the boycott of Capital Pride.
Fanning the flames of hate
At a time when the 2SLGBTQ community is in danger – and children are under attack by conservative forces – this campaign of attrition waged by organizations including the JFO against Pride is shameful and short sighted, leaving our 2SLGBTQ neighbours vulnerable. It serves only to fan the flames and create false goodwill for opportunistic politicians.
The same people who fight to put an end to Pride every year are those same people who seek to cause harm to our communities as well. Now more than ever we need to practice the difficult art of solidarity. Solidarity is messy and difficult but necessary.
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