OTTAWA — Parliament’s justice committee was thrown into sharp relief this week as Nusaiba Al Azem, the legal director of the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), firmly refused to denounce the public display of terrorist organization flags, including those of Hamas, during anti-Israel demonstrations. The exchange came as MPs scrutinized a government bill aimed at restricting protests outside synagogues and other religious institutions in response to a spike in antisemitic incidents nationwide.
Al Azem, testifying Tuesday, insisted that “millions” of Canadians opposing Israel should not be subjected to new protest restrictions, which she described as a sweeping curb on civil liberties. Committee members pressed the NCCM counsel on whether displaying flags associated with Hamas or other terror groups, now increasingly seen at anti-Israel rallies, should cross the line of legality. Al Azem pointedly declined to say whether flying such flags should be outlawed, repeatedly returning to her position: “We defend the right to protest, regardless of how unpopular or controversial that speech may be”.
National Council of Canadian Muslims refuses to condemn October 7!
— Roman Baber (@Roman_Baber) October 23, 2025
Watch my exchange with @nccm. Astonishing! pic.twitter.com/misi4hmNQc
The refusal drew immediate rebuke from MPs and Jewish community leaders who argued that hate-motivated displays, including endorsement of entities listed as terrorist groups under Canadian law, cannot be shielded by free speech protections. “Canadian Jews are witnessing threats to their safety and dignity at an unprecedented level,” said one spokesperson. “It is disturbing that an organization purporting to stand for rights and justice fails to clearly distance itself from symbols and slogans glorifying terrorism”.
Supporters of the protest bill cited a string of high-profile incidents outside synagogues over the past year, including intimidation, vandalism, and the open display of Hamas symbols, as justification for strengthening legal safeguards for religious sites. Toronto, Montreal, and other major cities have seen repeated public rallies targeting Jewish communities, prompting both municipal and national leaders to back enhanced protections under the proposed Combating Hate Act.
Al Azem maintained before the committee that “to suggest opposition to Israel is synonymous with supporting terrorism is to silence a vast segment of Canadian society,” but refused to clarify NCCM’s stance on criminal limits to protest speech tied to terror groups. The legal director’s remarks prompted criticism from both sides of the political aisle, with some MPs calling for explicit legislative language banning hate symbols, while others warned any restriction must be carefully balanced against foundational rights of expression and assembly.
The debate underlined the complexity of legislating speech and protest in a democratic society fractured over the Israel–Hamas conflict. Jewish advocacy groups and anti-hate organizations urged swift passage of the new law, while civil liberties advocates, including NCCM, persisted in their opposition, citing risks to minority expression and legal ambiguity.
As the committee prepares its recommendations, Canadian lawmakers are faced with the challenge of drawing clear, enforceable lines that protect both the liberty and the security of all citizens.
This article is based on verified information from JunoNews, Truthout, CBC News, Canadian parliamentary records, and legal and community advocacy statements