Capital Pride's pro-Palestinian statement of solidarity sparks controversy

UPDATE | On Wednesday, Aug. 14, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa announced on social media that it had made the "difficult but necessary decision" to withdraw from this year's Pride Parade, citing Capital Pride's "refusal to adjust its stance" regarding its stated support for Palestinians — a position the federation says "marginalizes Jewish 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and the broader Jewish community."

The group behind Ottawa's annual Pride festival is being both celebrated and condemned for making four pro-Palestinian "commitments" in a statement in the run-up to this year's festivities.

"To withhold our solidarity from Palestinians in the name of upholding 2SLGBTQIA+ rights betrays the promise of liberation that guides our work," said Tuesday's statement by Capital Pride, issued the week before the start of the annual festival.

In its statement, the organization said it's "deeply concerned" by the growing levels of both antisemitism and Islamophobia in Canada.

It pledged to integrate the Palestinian BDS National Committee's boycott list in its sponsorship reviews, recognize the "ongoing genocide" in opening remarks, host a "queer Arab showcase" and call for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid. 

"Our mission in organizing the Capital Pride Festival remains to celebrate, advocate, educate and connect people, respecting the full diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community," reads the statement. 

'Left our community feeling harmed'

The statement on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was "a shock to see" and left community members feeling "harmed and very disappointed," said Adam Silver, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa.

Silver said he felt it was outside Capital Pride's scope and potentially harmful to the 2SLGBTQ+ Jewish community.

"The statement and its various points actually alienates people and seems to give license and embolden, potentially, those who would do harm to not just the Jewish community, but the Jewish queer community," Silver said. 

The federation was not consulted on the statement, Silver said, despite the Jewish community being a longtime supporter and partner of Capital Pride. 

Capital Pride's call for sponsorship reviews showed a lack of understanding of a "very complex conflict," Silver said.

• Israel's war with Hamas brings renewed focus to BDS movement and role of boycotts to effect change 

The federation is demanding a retraction and apology and is considering whether to participate in future Pride events.

"We are certainly interested in positive, constructive resolution," Silver said. "But we're very disappointed and remain feeling harmed by the surprise statement that came out."

On social media, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said he's spoken to Capital Pride's leadership and encouraged them to meet with Jewish community leaders to hear their concerns. 

"Ottawa is a welcoming, caring, and inclusive city, all qualities that Pride aims to embody," he wrote.

"We all want to see Capital Pride be a safe space which allows everyone to be their authentic selves and [be a] celebration of 2SLGBTQIA+ rights."

Not a monolith, says Jewish grassroots group

For Sam Hersh, however, Capital Pride's pro-Palestinian stance is a welcome one.

"It's a statement that it's trying to bring in people and unite people. It's not a statement that's trying to divide people," said Hersh, a member of the Ottawa chapter of Independent Jewish Voices, a grassroots group that has joined Palestinian solidarity actions across Canada.

The statement is in line with principled stands taken by other Pride festivals and queer organizations across Canada, Hersh said.

He also said it's not antisemitic, arguing that the criticism from some Jewish organizations stems from "a conflation with Israel and the Jewish community." 

The community is not a monolith, Hersh said, and many Jews don't support the actions of the Israeli government.

"When groups like these ones continue to fling around these false accusations of antisemitism, it cheapens the real instances of antisemitism," Hersh said. "We recommend that [Capital Pride doesn't] stand down on this."

Could go further, other groups say

In a joint statement to CBC News, two groups — Queers4Palestine Ottawa and Queers Against Pinkwashing — expressed support for the statement but also criticized it for not going far enough.

They said its language downplayed the severity of Israel's actions and failed to fully commit to a stance against what they describe as years of "settler colonial violence."

• Canada raises travel advisory for Israel to 'avoid all travel' due to escalating violence

The groups also criticized what they see as "pinkwashing"— the use of 2SLGBTQ+ rights to divert attention from issues or to justify harmful policies — arguing that without stronger actions, Capital Pride risked engaging in this tactic. 

"It appears to be in solidarity with Palestine, while using language that perpetuates an "all lives matter" sentiment and avoids any substantial accountability in complicity," their statement said.

They urged Capital Pride to adopt additional measures, including disallowing police and military involvement in Pride events and declaring the festival an "apartheid-free zone." 

Capital Pride declined an interview, with a spokesperson saying they had no further comments. The festival runs from Aug. 17 until Aug. 25.