TORONTO — B’nai Brith Canada filed a formal complaint with the City of Toronto after the municipality raised the Palestinian flag at City Hall on November 17, 2025. The Jewish advocacy group claims the action violated the city’s Flag-Raising Protocol and “legitimized dates connected to extremist violence and terrorism.”
In a November 13 letter to the City’s Chief of Protocol and External Relations, B’nai Brith warned that commemorating the November 15, 1988, Palestinian Declaration of Independence at City Hall would sanitize the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s (PLO) violent history, asserting that the PLO espoused antisemitic ideology and carried out attacks against Israeli and Jewish civilians.
After the city proceeded with the flag raising, B’nai Brith submitted a formal complaint, urging a review of the approval process and amendments to prevent future occurrences.
The City of Toronto stated that the request to fly the Palestinian flag was approved under its council-sanctioned flag-raising program. According to the city’s online notice, the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) submitted the request, and the flag was displayed on the courtesy flagpole at City Hall on November 17, 2025, marking Palestine’s Independence Day following Canada’s recognition of the State of Palestine on September 21, 2025. The flag was scheduled to be removed at day’s end.
Supporters celebrated the event on the rooftop and in Nathan Phillips Square. ICJP lawyer Shane Martinez described the ceremony as “a symbolic show of solidarity” that was long overdue.
B’nai Brith’s complaint highlights the ceremony’s inconsistency with the city’s prohibition on flag raisings that promote hatred, violence, or racism. Richard Robertson, director of research and advocacy for B’nai Brith Canada, criticized the municipal decision for disregarding the concerns of the Jewish community amid rising harassment, threats, vandalism, and intimidation targeting Jewish residents. “Why would Toronto want to honour that legacy?” Robertson asked.
City officials pointed to policy language allowing flags of nations recognized by Global Affairs Canada to be flown on national days or special anniversaries. Given the federal government’s recognition of the State of Palestine in September, the city concluded the request met the technical criteria for a courtesy raising under its policy.
This controversy is part of a broader national debate. Following federal recognition, several Canadian municipalities and provincial legislatures raised the Palestinian flag, drawing praise from Palestinian groups and concern from Jewish organizations and critics.
B’nai Brith and allied bodies warn that such acts risk normalizing a history of violence linked to the PLO. Supporters argue that flag raisings are a legitimate expression of national identity for Palestinian Canadians.
Legal efforts to block Toronto’s flag raising were dismissed by the Ontario court, allowing the ceremony to proceed. The organisers prepared submissions to counter the injunction and indicated readiness for legal challenges.
B’nai Brith’s complaint demands a transparent response from the City, a thorough review of the approval process, and procedural amendments to prevent similar issues. The group insists it will not tolerate public institutions legitimizing dates tied to extremist violence and expects corrective action.
Specifically, the complaint references city regulations banning flag raisings that promote hatred, violence, or racism, contending that the ceremony undermined the city’s responsibilities to equitably represent all residents.
As of publication, municipal officials had not publicly responded to the formal complaint beyond reaffirming the permit process and citing Canada’s federal recognition of Palestine as the basis for eligibility under existing policy. Community groups on both sides pledged to continue advocating their positions publicly.
This article is based on verified information from B’nai Brith Canada, the City of Toronto, Global News/Canadian Press, the National Post, and JNS.
I am a Canadian. I have lived in Canada all my life. I am also a teacher who has had the good fortune to see many people from other countries come to make Canada their home. Many of these people are arriving to escape the atrocities committed in their country of origin. Every Canadian knows ( or should know) that our country is bilingual and that special attention has been deservedly given to our indigenous peoples who have suffered horror at the hands of a subset of our ancestors. Our country is one of rich history ; one that has thankfully morphed into a land that other countries can look at and marvel at our national strength, transparency and multi culturalism. Multiculturalism is not just a word but a concept whereby all peoples come together to celebrate their different heritages. As a teacher, there is nothing more heart-warming than witnessing multicultural luncheons, talent shows and the like. This is what is going on in our schools, with the hope that our young people can transition into our beautiful country with these cherished attributes at their side.
Now, let me get to the flag raising that occurred on November 17 /2025 at our City Hall. There are Palestinian people( who want to live in peace) and then there is Hamas.( a terrorist group absolutely hell bent on running every last Jew in Israel into the sea)…”from the river to the sea”. These miscreants will shoot their own people along with what they perceive to be rogue Hamas . Trying to reason with these Neanderthals is tantamount to asking a leopard to rid itself of spots.
Any one can be radicalized ( over a period of time) . A constant exposure to focused hate, left unchecked, will definitely, drastically distort ones view on the perception of certain peoples. This can start as a brush fire but quickly transition to a forest fire if left unchecked.
When I researched the Palestinian flag, I found that in 1964, it was altered by the Palestinian Liberation Organization ( an organization which was, for good reason, declared to be a terrorist organization.)
So, on November 17/2025, a terrorist flag was raised at the City Hall. Did the committee of five along with their legal representation know this? If so, are they the kind of Canadians that we want in our Country? Have they been vetted?Are they giving the ok to terrorist, splinter groups in Canada to come out in the open and declare themselves as wolves in sheeps clothing? Are they in favor of Canada one day being run by terrorists? It seems to me that the go ahead given to raise this flag is like pouring gasoline on a brush fire. I thought this country was a democracy
I do not remember being asked to vote on this most significant act.
I say to my good Canadian friends who are comprised of Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians ( forgive me if I have left out a recognized religion ) along with Atheists and Agnostics together with the LGBTQ community:
You better see this flag raising for what it is and condemn it now along with any future plans to destroy the democratic, multicultural country that defines Canada . ( where our slogan is “from SEA TO SEA”) . I for one insist on living in the 21 st century.