A message from Calgary Jewish Federation

by Rob Nagus and Lisa Libin 

(Calgary) – Calgary Jewish Federation s deeply disappointed and alarmed to learn that the Palestinian flag-raising at City Hall will proceed and now, that the City has intentionally moved the event to November 15, the date of the Palestinian Declaration of Independence, in order to qualify it under City policy.

This was an intentional decision that enabled approval of a highly politicized and divisive event on a day that carries significant political meaning, and at a time when Jewish Calgarians are already experiencing unprecedented levels of fear and antisemitism. Choosing this date is an egregious and deeply harmful action that intensifies the real risks and anxieties our community is experiencing.

Compounding this, the City is simultaneously advancing a motion that would prohibit all future flag-raisings, ensuring that the Israeli flag will not be permitted at City Hall on Yom Ha’atzmaut in May – a long-standing, peaceful, and entirely non-political celebration of Israel’s national day. Allowing one community’s flag this week while denying ours in the spring sends a deeply troubling and inequitable message about whose identity and safety are prioritized in municipal spaces.

For the past two days, CJF has been in continuous discussions with the Mayor’s Office and senior City officials to find a solution that would prevent further fear, pain, and division. Throughout these conversations, we emphasized key City policies and criteria that, in our view, should have disqualified this flag-raising – particularly under current conditions. Despite this, and despite clear community risk, the City proceeded by adjusting the date in a way that allowed the event to meet policy requirements.

This decision comes at a moment of rising antisemitism and profound vulnerability for Jewish Calgarians. Raising this flag ignores the immediate and serious impact it will have on the safety, wellbeing, and sense of belonging of our community.

We will continue working with the City to ensure municipal spaces do not become platforms for polarization or decisions that elevate one community while endangering another. We will also continue advocating for stronger, consistently-applied policies that prevent harmful outcomes like this, now and in the future.

Our priority remains the safety, dignity, and inclusion of all Calgarians, and we will keep our community informed as this situation evolves.

B’Shalom.

Rob Nagus is CEO and Lisa Libin is Board President of the Calgary Jewish Federation. 

Click here to read Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas’ statement on raising the Palestinian Flag at City Hall.