This week, the YMCA of Halifax/Dartmouth took away the Peace Medal they bestowed on Rana Zaman—because she dared to speak out against Israel’s genocide against Palestinians.  Rana, who is a tireless peace activist and community supporter is Muslim.  She emigrated to Halifax from Pakistan as a child.  

B’nai Brith, a pro-Israel bully group which is supported by the Jewish establishment, released a statement the day before the award ceremony to say it was working hard to prevent Rana from getting the medal. Their media release was confident the pro-Israel Jews would head Rana off at the pass and erase her prize. 

But the following day, it seemed that the Y had resisted the bully’s arguments.  After some encouragement by a few of Rana’s supporters, the YMCA introduced her as a Peace Medal winner to community people attending a tea party at Government House.  The next morning at a awards breakfast, the YMCA formally gave Rana (one of three nominees)  the Peace medal.  

Behind the scenes the local Jewish establishment, the Atlantic Jewish Council (AJC), did its dirty work. Basically in a cloak and dagger operation, the AJC backed by B’nai Brith forced the Y to reverse its decision—to remove Rana’s award.  Not only that, but the Y has demanded that Rana return the Medal and the pin – just to make sure the award is not sullied. Anti-Palestinian racism, that’s what it’s called. The Y  is also warning all its employees not to mention Rana or the Peace Award, and certainly to deflect members who raise concerns. 

And, in a cringeworthy capitulation document, the Y announced, 

“Though Ms. Zaman is well known for her community work, information identified raised significant concerns about public statements made by Ms. Zaman that do not align with the expectations of the Peace Medal criteria. While the original nomination focused on her longstanding local community humanitarian work, the volunteer nominating and selection committees did not have the full scope of relevant public information available at the time of selection.

Maintaining the medal in light of this information would compromise the confidence that our community places in the Peace Medal and in the YMCA’s commitment to inclusion, respect, and bridge-building. Rescinding the medal is necessary …”

Who is the Terrorist?

The pro-Israel forces like to imply that Rana is some sort of terrorist. But who is this person? For years Rana Zaman has raised money, solicited donations, found housing for immigrants, championed the oppressed and vulnerable, and promoted peace.  As a Muslim, she has been instrumental in protesting Israel’s genocide in Gaza.  Prior to that she rang warning bells about Israel’s apartheid and erasure of Palestinians. 

What is happening at the Y?

The YMCA, in addition to a health club, runs employment, housing, and resettlement programs for new Canadians.  Many of their service recipients are Muslim, many are from Syria, Lebanon and Sudan.  In addition, many of the YMCA employees are also Muslim and know Rana, respect her and are shocked that the Y would rescind her award.  

Removing Rana’s award in this ignominious way is a slap in the face for all of the Y’s Muslim and non-white members, volunteers and employees.

Which is worse? Rana’s calling out Israel for its genocide or defending Israel’s massacre of more than 70,000 Palestinians? Clearly the Jewish establishment has convinced the management and board of the YMCA that they must silence Rana – and other outspoken critics of Israel.  My husband and I faced the Jewish establishment’s pressure on the Atlantic School of Theology (AST) to not award us honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees in last May’s convocation.  We were both recognized

“for [our] work in through Independent Jewish Voices, a grassroots organization they helped to found and one that opposes all forms of racism and advocates for justice and peace for all in Israel-Palestine. As Jews, they have been active in the education of non-Jews including Christians on Palestine-Israel issues for several decades.”

To the great credit of AST, they resisted the pressure and went ahead to award us the degrees. Clearly this did not happen at Halifax’s YMCA.

Of course money is inevitably involved – the Y depends on donations and there are pro-Israel donors in the mix.  There could be some donors who guarantee loans and grants for the Y.   The pressure on the Y must have been extreme, as B’nai Brith (in Toronto!) boasts about their “victory”: 

“When a nominee publicly supports antisemitism, distorts the Holocaust, or defends terrorism, there must be consequences. We appreciate the YMCA’s leadership for taking this seriously and acting with integrity.”

The goal in rescinding Rana’s award

What is the goal of the pro-Israel establishment in removing the award from Rana?  The basic goal is to “shut it down” – shut down anything or anyone that is critical or negative toward Israel, the IDF and Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians.  For good measure, the Jewish establishment  also want to shut down any effort to humanize, expose the humanitarian tragedy of Gaza or Israel’s lethal mistreatment of Palestinians.  

Just this week, the University of Guelph denied a venue  for a two-day major Palestine conference with more than 400 participants a few days before it started.  The university gave no reason – but no one has questioned that this was an “act of anti-Palestinian discrimination.”  

This week also saw the arrests of four people who dared to protest outside RBC Place, in London, Ontario where a military  equipment conference was being held on Oct. 21.  The four’s cell phones and computers were seized – just because they called for a two-way embargo on Israel and for Canada to stop its increases in military spending.  

In the last several days,  B’nai Brith has demanded the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) in Winnipeg consult with them before going ahead with plans for an upcoming exhibit about the Nakba of 1948. The local director of B’nai Brith  said,  

“This exhibit centres around a contested topic and the way it is presented will have a real impact on Jewish Canadians.”

How is the Nakba still contested? In its 21 years in existence, the museum is finally having an exhibit exposing Israel’s driving more than 700,000 Palestinians off their land and out of Palestine – and the pro-Israel lobby can only think of how the exhibit will affect Jews.   What? 

Today: Saturday

We are having a rally for Rana is at 2.30 pm, in front of the YMCA on South Park St in Halifax. We are asking for the Y to reinstate her award. You are all welcome. Bring a sign, bring a noisemaker and bring your kids.

Image at the top: Protesters chanting outside the downtown London, Ont., convention centre while police officers stood nearby during the protest. (Kate Dubinski/CBC)