Brampton city council has decided not to vote on a controversial motion that sought to condemn Israel’s military actions in Gaza and call for a Canadian arms embargo. Instead, councillors opted to refer the motion to the Interfaith Council of Peel for further discussion and consultation.
The motion, introduced at council’s Oct. 29 meeting by Wards 9 and 10 Councillor Gurpartap Singh Toor and seconded by Wards 2 and 6 Councillor Navjit Kaur Brar, called on the federal government to recognize Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide and impose a two-way arms embargo. It urged the mayor to write formally to Ottawa requesting the cancellation of all arms exports and permits to Israel.
The proposal immediately drew strong criticism from the Canadian Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), which labeled it “one-sided” and warned that it risked deepening divisions within the community. “This motion strays far beyond municipal jurisdiction,” CIJA said in a statement. “Using city council to adjudicate international conflicts risks stigmatizing Brampton’s Jewish residents. Council’s duty is to all residents — it must stand firmly against language and actions that pit one community against another.”
The debate reflects the broader polarization in Canada over the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which reignited after Hamas militants launched deadly attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 civilians and taking over 250 hostages. Israel’s ensuing two-year military campaign in Gaza drew international condemnation and accusations of disproportionate force before a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect on October 9, 2025.
Supporters of Israel view the military campaign as a justified defense against terrorism and an effort to rescue hostages. Pro-Palestinian advocates, meanwhile, have condemned the offensive as collective punishment amounting to genocide.
Several Brampton residents appeared before council urging passage of the motion, emphasizing the humanitarian toll in Gaza. But others argued that such discussions have no place in municipal chambers and could strain community harmony in one of Canada’s most diverse cities.
By referring the matter to the Interfaith Council of Peel, council hopes to create space for dialogue before reconsidering the issue. The council describes itself as a grassroots coalition of local faith leaders committed to “building bridges and advancing social issues” across communities.
City staff said Brampton council will await feedback from the Interfaith Council before deciding whether to revisit the motion at a future meeting.