By Joel Goldenberg

Flags in the Town of Hampstead will remain at half mast as a symbolic gesture until all the more than 100 hostages held by the terrorist group Hamas since its Oct. 7 massacre of 1,400 people in Israel are released, Mayor Jeremy Levi told the Feb. 5 town council meeting.

A resolution was passed to this effect. The flags are at the Adessky Community Centre, where council meetings take place, and at town hall at Queen Mary and Stratford. The Israeli flag has been present, along with the Canadian and Quebec flags.

The Israeli flag “will be a permanent mainstay, with the other flags,” Levi pointed out.

The Mayor also reminded residents that at its October meeting, the council unanimously passed a resolution calling on the Canadian government to do everything in its power to demand the unconditional release of all hostages from Gaza.

“This council is very disturbed by Canada’s position, the way they voted at the UN, voting for an unconditional ceasefire,” Levi said.

The resolution passed by council says:

“Whereas the Town of Hampstead acknowledges the recent decision by the Government of Canada to vote in favour of a UN unconditional ceasefire; Whereas the town council expressed its discontent with the aforementioned decision, particularly in light of the ongoing hostage situation involving Israel; Whereas the safety and well-being of the hostages are of utmost concern and a strong stance is deemed necessary to advocate for their release.”

The resolution then says the town “voices its discontent with the Government of Canada’s decision to vote for a UN unconditional ceasefire given the unresolved hostage situation.

“The Town of Hampstead will keep the flags of all its facilities at half-mast as a symbolic gesture until the hostages are released, demonstrating solidarity with those affected by the ongoing crisis.”

A copy of the resolution has been sent to the federal government. n