Liberal MP Anthony Housefather has accused the organizer of Montreal’s annual Israeli Independence Day rally of wanting it to be “a Conservative event,” sparking controversy within the Jewish community. Organizer Amos Sochaczevski has vehemently denied these claims, calling them “completely erroneous” and accusing Housefather of trying to politicize the event.
The event, which took place on May 14, 2024, at Place du Canada in Montreal, attracted thousands of supporters of Israel to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the country. However, Housefather, a prominent member of Montreal’s Jewish community, was allegedly barred from delivering remarks at the rally, raising questions about the charitable status of the organization behind the event, Jewish Unity Partnership.
Under the Income Tax Act, charitable groups are not allowed to support or oppose any political party or candidate for public office. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) closely monitors compliance with these regulations and can take action against organizations found to be in violation.
Despite the controversy, the CRA has not taken any action against Jewish Unity Partnership, which has been registered as a charity since 2009. The organization raised over $58,000 in donations in 2022-23, according to CRA records.
The rally also saw participation from Conservative politicians, with Toronto MP Melissa Lantsman and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre addressing the crowd. Lantsman criticized the Trudeau Liberals’ stance on Israel and Palestinians, while Poilievre expressed unequivocal support for Israel’s right to defend itself.
Sochaczevski, the founder of Jewish Unity Partnership, maintains that the event was always intended to be non-political and non-partisan. He defended the guest list, stating that the Liberals’ Middle East positions disqualified them from being invited.
The controversy surrounding the rally highlights the complex intersection of politics, charity, and community events within Montreal’s Jewish community. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the fallout from this event will impact future celebrations of Israel’s independence in the city.