2024-07 letter to Pride on Palestine

Open letter from the Elderberries of Atlantic Canada to Halifax Pride in response to their Statement on Palestine

DATE

Dear Halifax Pride,

The Elderberries of Atlantic Canada have grave concerns about the nature of your Statement on Palestine, so much so that we cannot stand behind it.

Your statement makes no mention of the murderous raid committed by Hamas on Israelis and Jews. As you must know, there have been hate actions going on for years worldwide against both Jews and Muslims. All of that must be condemned, including the atrocity by Hamas.

Nor do you mention, the hostages taken by Hamas : many still held, some released, some dead while in captivity..

We agree with you on many points, including the devastation Gazans have been and are going through—disease, hunger, starvation, lack of medical care, homelessness, families killed or ripped apart, bombings of hospitals and schools and refugee camps, all human rights violations. In short, the destruction of the Gazan Palestinians by the Israeli government. We join in the call for an immediate ceasefire.

We, the Elderberries of Atlantic Canada, also want and work for liberation, anti-oppression and anti-racism.

Because of your one-sided statement, we are concerned for Queer Jews wishing to attend Halifax Pride. How safe will they feel?

Many Jewish people in and out of Israel are against the suffering inflicted on the Gazans. But Prime Minister Natanyahu’s unacceptable actions are alienating Israel’s friends, and may have unfortunate consequences for decades if not generations to come.

We urge you to reconsider and revise or withdraw your statement on Palestine.

[Possible new paragraph, below. Are we going to pull our support, or not? Will need a Board vote, and probably, if this is an open letter, a copy to go out to all the members.]

If the Statement stands without revision, it is with deep regret that the Elderberries Society will be unable to participate as a group in any activities produced by Halifax Pride 2024.

Sincerely, The Board of The Elderberries of Atlantic Canada