We are providing an update to our BJCA Statement in response to the recent resolutions passed by the Port Moody Council concerning the situation in Gaza.
Please visit the following link to read the full statement: BJCA Statement on Recent Port Moody Council Resolutions on Gaza
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
On Sunday, April 7, about thirty persons met at the Burquest JCC to discuss actions in advance of Port Moody’s April 9th meeting, at which motions on the matter would again be brought. Most persons agreed that writing letters in support of the council attempting to extricate itself from involvement in this area would be useful. Many persons also supported attending the meeting in person, as residents and citizens, without overt identification as Jews, and speaking respectfully during the public hearing before the council meeting if they wished and had the opportunity to do so.
I thank Julie Szirtes and Dave Medzon in particular for organizing and running this meeting, and Julie for circulating minutes to attendees.
Port Moody residents with diverse views on the council’s action, including many who attended the meeting at the BJCC spoke during the public hearing on April 9th. The meeting can be viewed here. Port Moody residents were given priority as speakers. A majority of the Council voted not to extend the public hearing beyond its’ usual half hour, despite having additional persons on a speaker’s list. A demonstration by some Palestinian attendees, including chants of ‘From the River to the Sea’, ensued, and the council briefly recessed. Following the resumption of the council meeting, the council majority did not, in the end, approve any motion on this issue. While this is likely to be the final civic action on this matter, organized protest by Free Palestine Tricites, or other groups, is likely to continue.
The Burquest JCA can try to help if you seek support in response to such actions.
Do not hesitate to contact us if we may be of assistance.
Dov Lank,
Acting Chair, BJCA.