While over 30 provincial and municipal governments across Canada, from Queen’s Park to City Halls in Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa and Vaughan, proudly raised the Israeli flag between May 1-4 to honour Israel’s 77th Yom Ha’atzmaut, the federal government conspicuously failed to fly the Israeli flag atop the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill. This omission sends a shocking message of indifference at a moment when Jewish Canadians and Israel’s democratic ally deserve unequivocal support.
Federal Snub: A Stark Contrast
Despite Global Affairs Canada’s annual practice of flying the flags of all diplomatic partners on their national days, no Israeli flag was raised on the Peace Tower on May 4-5, 2025. A review of official flag‑raising schedules and parliamentary announcements confirms the absence. This glaring omission undermines Canada’s historic role as a principled supporter of Israel and betrays Jewish Canadians at their most vulnerable moment.
The federal government’s failure to raise Israel’s flag on Parliament Hill, especially when provincial and municipal bodies declared their solidarity, amounts to a grievous political snub. At a time of rising global antisemitism and existential threats against the Jewish state, leaders at the national level must affirm, not neglect, Canada’s alliance with Israel and its Jewish citizens. Canada’s capital cannot claim moral leadership on human rights while refusing a simple act of recognition that provinces and cities have embraced wholeheartedly. The Prime Minister and Cabinet must rectify this oversight without delay to send a clear signal: Canada stands unwaveringly with Israel and its Jewish community.
Provincial Flag Raisings: Ontario and Manitoba Lead
The Ontario government marked Israel’s 77th Independence Day with a prominent flag-raising ceremony at Queen’s Park, the seat of Ontario’s provincial legislature. Premier Doug Ford joined Jewish community leaders and advocates to hoist the Israeli flag on the main flagpole, a gesture underscoring Ontario’s enduring friendship with Israel and its Jewish citizens.
During the ceremony, Premier Ford praised Israel’s democratic achievements and reaffirmed the province’s commitment to supporting Israel and Ontario’s vibrant Jewish community. The event, held during Jewish Heritage Month, was widely attended by members of the Jewish community, local officials, and supporters, reflecting the strong political, social, and cultural ties between Ontario and Israel.
The Government of Manitoba raised the Israeli flag in Memorial Park, across from the Manitoba Legislative Building, marking a significant provincial gesture of solidarity, recognizing Israel’s democratic values and independence. This effort was made possible through our Community’s Advocacy and Government Relations work led by CIJA and the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, highlighting the strong and growing ties between Manitoba, Israel, and the local Jewish community.
Manitoba and Israel share a Memorandum of Understanding focused on strengthening agricultural research and industry collaboration, fostering partnerships between institutions such as Keystone Agricultural Producers and the University of Manitoba, and Israeli counterparts like the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Ben-Gurion University.
These multidimensional bilateral relations are marked by close political, economic, social, and cultural ties.
Municipal Ceremonies: Over 30 Cities Participate
More than 30 municipalities invoked their flag-raising bylaws to participate in this nationwide display.
Ottawa: After reversing an initial cancellation due to security concerns, city hall hosted a private ceremony with the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and Ottawa Police Service, ensuring the community could celebrate safely.
Toronto: Councillor James Pasternak and the Israeli Consulate led the flag-raising at Nathan Phillips Square, supported by a strong turnout despite small protests.
Calgary: The city’s longstanding policy facilitated the flag-raising at city hall, honoring Israel’s people and culture.
Vaughan, Edmonton, Mississauga, Markham, Richmond Hill, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Barrie, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Halifax, Victoria, Moncton, St. John’s, Charlottetown, Fredericton, Windsor, Oakville, Kelowna, and many more also flew the Israeli flag under their municipal protocols, with ceremonies often featuring local leaders, Jewish federations, and community members.
Civic Solidarity Amid Challenge
Despite isolated protests and heightened security, all approved ceremonies proceeded without major incident, reflecting a broad civic consensus to stand with Israel and Jewish Canadians. These flag-raisings, celebrated by Jewish federations and municipal councils, reaffirmed the importance of unity and the enduring Canada–Israel bond on Yom Ha’atzmaut.
As the blue and white flag soared above Canadian skylines, it sent a clear message: Canada’s friendship with Israel remains strong, resilient, and unwavering.
You need to take your righteous indignation down a peg or two. Foreign flags are never flown on the Peace Tower (except for the Netherlands in WW2) snd so the snub you describie so energetically in this article never happened.
Hello Mr. East, the City of Burlington did not raise the flag of Israel in 2025. Could you please correct your article?
Hello again, the City of Burlington did not raise the flag of Israel in 2025. Please correct your article.
I wonder. Do Zionists know Canada is a sovereign nation and not an Israeli colony?