Toronto City Hall will raise the Palestinian flag this morning at 10 a.m., joining several Canadian cities in marking the 37th anniversary of the Palestinian Declaration of Independence. The event follows a petition from the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians, which says the flag-raising represents a symbolic gesture of solidarity with Palestinians living in the city.
Under Toronto’s official flag policy, flags of foreign nations may be flown on special anniversaries or national days. This year, the Palestinian flag qualifies to be flown after Canada formally recognized the State of Palestine in September.
Toronto is not alone in this action—Calgary, Brampton and Mississauga have already raised the Palestinian flag at their respective city halls in recent days.
However, the event has also drawn opposition. The Tafsik Organization, a pro-Israel group, has filed a court injunction to stop the ceremony, arguing that the flag raising endorses groups they believe are responsible for inciting violence against the Jewish community. Both sides are expected to return to court today for further proceedings.
Toronto has raised dozens of flags at City Hall this year, including the Israeli flag on May 1 in recognition of Israeli Independence Day.