MLA Matt Jones, centre left, Rabbi Menachem Matusof, centre, and Nelson Halpern, participate in a menorah lighting ceremony in Calgary, on Dec. 7.Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek bowed out of attending the city’s 35th-annual menorah lighting ceremony, which coincided with the two-month anniversary of Hamas attacking Israel, saying the event had become too political.
Ms. Gondek explained her decision in a statement posted on social media Wednesday evening. She said the Hanukkah event had in previous years been an opportunity to bring traditional greetings to the city’s Jewish community. This year, she said, it had been “repositioned as an event to support Israel.”
The statement drew immediate backlash, including from the federal Conservative Party, which said Ms. Gondek’s withdrawal from the ceremony at City Hall could “dangerously normalize antisemitism” in the country.
Communities across Canada held menorah lighting ceremonies Thursday, the first of Hanukkah’s eight nights, with dignitaries and elected politicians in attendance. Mayors in Vancouver, Toronto and Halifax were scheduled to attend these celebrations in their respective cities.
Political leaders around the world are grappling with how to respond to the war between Israel and Hamas, which has exacerbated long-standing tensions between supporters of Israel and people whose sympathies lie mainly with Palestinians living in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Moncton officials earlier this week reversed a decision to ban Hanukkah menorah and nativity scene displays at their City Hall, after widespread outcry, particularly from Jewish groups.
Ms. Gondek said in her statement that it is the mayor’s job to attend events for faith-based and ethnic communities. But, she said, speaking at this year’s menorah lighting would have run counter to this mission.
“There are no sides to choose from when terrorists incite violence by murdering innocent Israelis, knowing retaliation will follow and lead to the murder of innocent Palestinians,” she said.
“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. The killing must stop in Gaza, because it is spreading division and hatred, far and wide. Eradicating Hamas must come in a different form than mass casualties.”
The mayor pointed to an online flyer advertising the menorah lighting, which included the English words “Supporting Israel” and the Hebrew phrase “Am Yisrael Chai,” which translates to “the people of Israel live.”
Ms. Gondek, speaking to reporters Thursday, said the menorah lighting has traditionally been steeped in community and faith, with “ties back to the homeland for the Jewish community.” But the flyer’s language, she said, suggested the event would be in support of Israel. She said such a gathering would be more appropriate somewhere other than a government building.
“It cannot be done inside City Hall,” she said. “If the politics could be removed from the faith-based celebration, this would be a different situation.”
Leaders from the Calgary Jewish Federation and Chabad Lubavitch of Alberta, which promoted the celebration at City Hall, called Ms. Gondek’s decision hurtful and disappointing in a joint statement.
“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 do not run counter to our support of Eretz Israel, but rather are inextricably linked.”
Pat Kelly, the MP for Calgary Rocky Ridge, urged the mayor to reconsider, in a statement he issued on behalf of all Conservative MPs.
“Her decision to withdraw could dangerously normalize antisemitism at a time when, across campuses and communities, Jewish Canadians are already feeling threatened,” he said. “As public servants, we need to show up, provide leadership, and bring people together for our common good.”
Alberta’s governing United Conservative Party announced on Thursday that Jewish and Islamic faith-based schools will be eligible for grants of up to $20,000 for “physical security” on their campuses. Provincial Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis told reporters one of the party’s MLAs from Calgary would be attending the City Hall ceremony, while another from the Edmonton area would be at a menorah lighting at the provincial legislature.
Richard Pootmans, a Calgary city councillor, was one of the few public figures who publicly supported Ms. Gondek’s stand.
“It is unfortunate that such a meaningful event has turned into a political one,” he said on social media. “I am not choosing sides but choosing to condemn divisiveness and war. Wishing you a Happy Hanukkah.”
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, Lieutenant-Governor Arthur J. LeBlanc, and Halifax Mayor Mike Savage were expected to attend a menorah lighting ceremony at Halifax City Hall Thursday evening. The event, organized by Chabad of the Maritimes, had increased security measures.
British Columbia Premier David Eby, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow were also scheduled to attend menorah lighting ceremonies Thursday.
Catherine Cadotte, a spokesperson for Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, said the mayor would not attend any public Hanukkah ceremonies this week because she had reduced her daily activities after collapsing during a news conference Tuesday.
With reports from Lindsay Jones in Halifax, Frédérik-Xavier Duhamel in Montreal and Xiao Xu in Vancouver