By Canadian Press

Ottawa Pride stance on Israel causes some civil servants, embassy to exit parade

Aug 19, 2024 | 10:09 AM

OTTAWA — A decision by organizers of the Pride parade in Ottawa to boycott Israeli companies is prompting a growing number of participants to pull out of the festivities.

The Capital Pride committee condemned the brutal attack by Hamas last fall, but also accused the Israeli government of touting its LGBTQ+ inclusivity to distract from carnage in the Gaza Strip.

The committee endorsed a campaign to boycott Israeli companies, which it says is aimed at ending the war in Gaza and getting justice for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Jewish groups said the statement made their community feel excluded and unsafe, which prompted Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe to say he wouldn’t participate in the week-long festival.

Since then, community groups, government agencies and embassies which have marched in the parade in past have been deliberating whether to do so this coming Sunday.

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Public Service Pride network, a volunteer organization of federal civil servants, says it won’t have a presence in the parade this year, saying it will instead focus on “inclusive, safe and people-centred events.”

Germany’s embassy in Ottawa accused Capital Pride of delegitimizing Israel and said it is not inclusive to promote a boycott of Israel.

Other groups have opted to stay in the parade, such as the Ottawa Senior Pride Network.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 19, 2024.

The Canadian Press