Watch.. For the first time, the Palestinian flag flies on the Canadian Calgary flagpole | policy

Calgary- In a touching scene, the municipality of the city of Calgary in the Canadian province of Alberta, yesterday morning, witnessed the raising of the Palestinian flag for the first time on its official mast, amid a diverse crowd of cultures and ethnicities who came to express their solidarity with the Palestinian people, and this coincided with the Canadian government’s recognition of the State of Palestine last September.

The ceremony began at nine-thirty in the morning in Calgary Municipal Square downtown, organized and coordinated by the Palestinian Community Association (PCA), bringing together dozens of solidarity foreign activists, Arab and Muslim communities, and representatives of the Muslim Association of Canada (MAC), the president and members of the Palestinian Council of Calgary (CPC), and the Islamic Council (MCC).

The attendees raised Palestinian flags, and a large number of them wore keffiyeh scarves, amid chants in support of the freedom and independence of the Palestinian people, Palestinian national songs, and words of solidarity from civil society leaders and human rights activists.

At the moment of raising the Palestinian flag, the tears of those present mixed with smiles and joy, especially since this square has witnessed, for two full years, continuous protests and demonstrations demanding an end to the war on the Gaza Strip and the strengthening of international solidarity with the Palestinian people.

“historical event”

For his part, a member of the Board of Directors of the Palestinian Community Association, Hossam Al-Ghobari, described raising the Palestinian flag as a historic event and recognition of a people who struggled and steadfastly for a long time, and a tribute to the souls of the martyrs and those who remained steadfast in the Gaza Strip, “and a harvest of fruits for those who demonstrated, protested, boycotted, refused to be silent, raised their voices loudly against injustice and killing, met politicians and signed petitions…”

Al-Ghubari told Al-Jazeera Net that this event reflects a major change in Canadian public opinion, and the extent of its true solidarity with the Palestinian people. In his opinion, the Palestinian community played a major role in bringing about this change.

She added, “When Mark Carney (Prime Minister of Canada) saw the demonstrations, petitions, and the results of the parliamentary elections in which most Muslims elected the Liberal Party, he decided to recognize us and issue an arrest warrant against the occupation Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.”

Regarding the steps of the initiative, Al-Ghubari explained that the Palestinian Association submitted a request last year to raise the Palestinian flag, but it was rejected because the Canadian government did not recognize the Palestinian state, but after it announced that recently, we submitted a new request and it was approved.

He said that the federal government’s recognition of Palestine “came firstly as a result of the steadfastness of our people in the Gaza Strip,” and secondly “as a result of internal pressure exerted on it and the international community’s support for Palestine.”

In turn, Canadian Professor Douglas Chudley, one of those in solidarity with the Palestinian people, expressed his deep happiness at this amazing event, saying, “My feelings are mixed between sadness over the difficult conditions in Gaza, and joy as it is a historic day and a victory for the justice of the Palestinian cause, but we still have a long way to go.”

Chudley added, in his interview with Al Jazeera Net, that the city of Calgary is considered a pro-Israel city, and that raising the Palestinian flag there two years ago was considered impossible. He says, “There is a noticeable change in Canadian diplomacy in favor of Palestine, and the government did not take the initiative until after the people imposed the change on the federal and local governments. I am very happy.”

Increase awareness

For his part, Muhammad Al-Halis, a Canadian of Palestinian origin from Gaza, and one of the coordinators of the weekly demonstrations, expressed his happiness at raising the flag, noting that it shows increased awareness of the suffering of the Palestinian people, and expresses true solidarity from Canadian society with the just rights of the Palestinians.

He said that the presence and support of the people confirms that the voice of the Palestinians is being heard more, and that popular support for their cause is clearly expanding.

In his speech to Al Jazeera Net, Al-Halis called on the Canadian government to take clearer and bolder positions towards protecting the human rights of the Palestinian people, and this should include supporting international efforts to end the occupation, demanding an immediate cessation of the ongoing aggression against Gaza and the West Bank, and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid without obstacles.

He also called on his government to review its foreign policies to be more consistent with the principles of justice and human rights adopted by Canada, and to work to hold accountable those who commit violations, instead of being satisfied with symbolic positions or traditional political statements, as he put it.

Internal controversy

Despite the federal government’s recognition of the Palestinian state, the step of raising the flag sparked political controversy within the city. The city’s newly elected mayor, Jerome Farkas, announced his intention to submit an urgent proposal next week to amend some previously followed policies, in which the raising of foreign countries’ flags is completely prohibited, justifying this by saying that these traditions raise unintended tensions in light of the rise in cases of “anti-Semitism” and Islamophobia in Canada.

The Calgary Jewish Federation also expressed “frustration and concern” over this move, describing it as a political and divisive act that increases risks and anxiety for the Jewish community, and sends an “unfair message about identity and safety priorities.”

The Union also had reservations about the date of raising the Palestinian flag, which fell on November 15, the anniversary of the announcement of the “Palestinian Independence Document” by the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Algeria in 1988, considering that a politicized event that carries important meanings, according to the Union.

On the other hand, activists in the Palestinian and Arab community issued a call for the largest attendance in another event to raise the Palestinian flag in front of the municipality of Toronto, the largest Canadian city, tomorrow, Monday.