The motion that could change Montreal's ties to Israel w/ Alex Norris

Opposition party Projet Montréal is pushing a motion that would call on the City of Montreal to sever its institutional ties with Israel. The motion also calls on the city to recognize and denounce the genocide against Palestinians, as well as recognize and denounce the apartheid regime imposed on Palestinians.The motion was introduced at the June 15 city council meeting, where pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside City Hall in support of what they call a “historic” motion. However, the vote was postponed until the council’s next meeting in August.Many Palestinian solidarity activists see the motion as a significant step forward. Others, however, have questioned why Projet Montréal did not bring forward a similar proposal while it was in government.In this episode of Local 514, host Kalden Dhatsenpa speaks with Alex Norris, Projet Montréal city councillor for the Jeanne-Mance district in Le Plateau–Mont-Royal and one of the motion’s seconders. They discuss what the motion would actually do, why Projet Montréal is advancing it now, and what role municipalities should play in international issues.Cities such as Barcelona have already suspended institutional ties with Israel, while others, including Hayward, California, have adopted procurement policies targeting goods and services linked to Israeli settlements. Could Montreal become the first Canadian municipality to formally suspend its institutional ties with Israel?