By: Paul Goldberg, Senior Editor | JRL CHARTS – LGBT Politics Montreal
MONTREAL — (August 11, 2025) — Jewish LGBTQ organizations and Canadian Jewish representative groups marched proudly in the Montreal Pride Parade on Sunday, following the reversal of a controversial ban on Zionist participation.
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The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), Ga’ava, the Federation CJA, and congregants from Temple Emanu-El Beth Sholom joined the march, dancing to Hebrew music, waving flags, and wearing rainbow-Star of David shirts.
“Open doors, open hearts, open minds,” read signs held by marchers, shared on social media by Beth Sholom congregation.
Crowd Reaction & Minor Disruptions
According to CIJA Quebec VP Eta Yudin, Jewish marchers were met with cheers and applause along the route — a clear rejection, she said, of the earlier decision to exclude them.
Two brief disruptions occurred: one marcher was hit with a balloon by a lone agitator, who was quickly arrested; and a small group carrying Palestinian flags attempted to block the parade, but were escorted out by police within minutes.
Security was jointly provided by Montreal Pride, CJA, and the Secure Community Network.
Background: Ban Sparks Outrage
On July 31, Montreal Pride announced that CIJA and Ga’ava were barred from participating, citing the “complex geopolitical context” of the ongoing Israel–Hamas war and alleged “hate speech.”
Organizers framed the move as protecting “emotional and physical safety” and voiced solidarity with “oppressed peoples, particularly the Palestinian people.”
This decision ignited a political firestorm. MP Anthony Housefather and four other federal MPs denounced the exclusion in an August 1 letter, calling it “unacceptable” and saying Pride was effectively telling Montreal’s Jewish community they were “no longer welcome.”
Ga’ava: 17 Years of Pride Participation
Ga’ava, founded in 2007 to represent Quebec’s Jewish LGBTQ+ community, said it was “shocked” by the ban, calling it politically motivated and without merit.
“We have always brought joy, resilience, and support for both LGBTQIA2+ Jews and Quebecers to this event,” said Ga’ava volunteer president Carlos A. Godoy L.
Apology & Leadership Change
Facing mounting backlash, Montreal Pride issued a public apology on August 5, assuring Jewish representatives they were welcome. The announcement came shortly after the board chair resigned, citing personal reasons.
“We stood strongly last week when we were told we were no longer welcome,” Yudin said. “It’s an important step that Pride apologized and recommitted to fighting antisemitism — but conversations must continue.”
Ongoing Divisions
Not everyone supported the reversal. Helem Montreal and Independent Jewish Voices Montreal said they would boycott the parade, arguing that allowing “Queer Zionists” to march while “bombs fall on Gaza” was incompatible with Pride’s mission.
“Marching alongside the police, sponsors of the occupation, and colonial states is not pride,” they declared in an August 6 joint statement.
What’s Next for Montreal Pride?
The controversy has left Montreal Pride navigating deep divisions in the LGBTQ+ community while pledging to maintain inclusivity and safety for all participants.
For Jewish LGBTQ marchers, this year’s parade was both a celebration and a pointed reminder of the work still ahead to ensure Pride remains for everyone.
Footnotes:
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CIJA – Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, a national advocacy group for Jewish Canadians.
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Ga’ava – A Quebec-based Jewish LGBTQ organization participating in Pride since 2007.
Montreal Pride’s reversal marked a symbolic win for Jewish LGBTQ visibility — but also underscored the fragile balance between solidarity and division in Canada’s LGBTQ+ movement.
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