Milton Council Rejects Pro-Palestine Motion After Heated Meeting

Milton — A motion titled “Advocacy for Humanitarian Action and Federal Policy Reform Regarding the Situation in Gaza” was defeated by the Milton Town Council on November 3 after a packed and fractious public meeting that drew local and national attention. The notice of motion, moved by Regional Councillor Sameera Ali, called on the federal government to consider measures including a two-way arms embargo, expansion of the Gaza Temporary Resident Visa program, and endorsement of the Apartheid-Free Communities Pledge.

Hamas loyalists Mona Ayesh & Bahira Abdulsalam, joined by several others, tried to pass a Pro-Palestine motion in a @TownOfMiltonON meeting, which was denied.

A complete meltdown ensues & Mona Ayesh tells the Jews present to "burn in hell, Inshallah." pic.twitter.com/B3bT8PwSsu

— Leviathan (@l3v1at4an) November 4, 2025

The meeting turned heated. According to a video of the council session and multiple social media postings from attendees, activists, including Mona Ayesh and Bahira Abdulsalam, spoke in favour of the motion and then clashed with other members of the public. Attendees recorded a moment in which Mona Ayesh directed a hostile remark toward Jewish attendees, reportedly saying, “burn in hell, Inshallah”, language widely circulated on video clips after the meeting. Those clips and recordings have been shared across social platforms and were visible to reporters.

Protesters confront individuals who applauded delegations from B’nai Brith and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs at Milton Town Hall.

The gentlemen seem confused and upset, asking, “Who are you to be mad?” and “Why are you guys abusing us?”

An official steps out from the… pic.twitter.com/reVi1LQosE

— Caryma Sa'd – Lawyer + Political Satirist (@CarymaRules) November 4, 2025

Jewish communal organizations swiftly condemned both the motion and the meeting’s disruptions. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said it had urged Milton’s mayor and council to vote the motion down, arguing that foreign policy is the purview of the federal government and that municipal action risks inflaming tensions and endangering vulnerable residents. CIJA noted that, after the motion was defeated, allies of the Jewish community were “harassed and shouted down,” creating an unsafe environment for some residents.

CIJA’s Director of Strategic Communications (Ontario), Danielle Keenan, issued the following statement:

“We commend Milton’s Town Council for standing firm against hatred and division. This clear focus on improving life for its citizens is critical as cities tackle pressing issues such as housing affordability, transit, and public safety.

Milton’s decision sends a powerful message to leaders of all levels of government: Canada’s inclusive and democratic values must always prevail over extremism.

What we witnessed at last night’s meeting was deeply troubling. Following the defeat of the motion, allies of our community were harassed and shouted down, creating an unsafe environment and showcasing the very real safety concerns that continue to exist.

No Canadian should ever be vilified for who they are or where they come from.”

Supporters of the motion framed it as a humanitarian appeal. Councillor Sameera Ali defended bringing the topic to council, telling local media and interviewers that the motion sought to respond to continued civilian suffering in Gaza and to give a voice to constituents who feel unheard on this issue. Ali has previously led related municipal statements and said the item was meant to be a moral and humanitarian call rather than an exercise in foreign policy-making.

Council’s decision to reject the motion reflected concern among councillors and civic leaders that local governments should not be the forum for complex foreign-policy pronouncements that risk polarizing communities. Several residents at the meeting argued that the item distracted from local priorities such as housing, transit, and public safety. Others stressed the motion ignored the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks and the consequences for Canadian victims and for Jewish and Israeli communities.

Community safety and civility were central themes in reactions following the meeting. Jewish leaders and residents said the episode underscores an ongoing problem of how international conflicts spill into local civic spaces and can heighten risks for targeted communities. The CIJA statement called on local officials to prioritize resident safety and to resist divisive measures that could further inflame tensions.

Town officials and councillors signalled they would continue to emphasize municipal responsibilities and cohesion. Video of the council session shows councillors attempting to restore order and proceed through the agenda amid repeated interruptions. Local reporting and audio interviews conducted after the meeting captured both emotional testimony from residents and councillors’ appeals for calm and focus on municipal duties.

The Milton meeting is the latest example of municipal chambers across Canada becoming arenas for contested Middle East debates. Advocacy and watchdog groups on all sides say municipalities must balance free expression with the responsibility to maintain respectful civic discourse and protect vulnerable neighbours. Both supporters and opponents of the motion said they will continue to press their cases through advocacy, consultation, and, where appropriate, formal channels.

Thank you for reading. If you value independent Jewish journalism, help keep our reporting free and reliable, share this article, subscribe for regular coverage, or donate $10, $25, or $50 today.

Every gift powers timely, trusted reporting and amplifies pro-Israel voices defending Jewish rights worldwide. Donate now.

This article is based on verified information from the Town of Milton meeting materials and motion document, video of the November 3 council meeting, CIJA public statements, and local reporting on the motion and meeting disruptions.