Toronto will raise a Palestinian flag at City Hall next week in honor of “Palestinian Independence Day,” drawing fire from Jewish groups amid ongoing tensions over rising antisemitism in the city.

City staff approved a request from the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians to fly the flag on November 17, marking the 37th anniversary of when PLO chairman Yasser Arafat proclaimed Palestinian independence. 

Now, more than 140 countries recognize “Palestine” as a state, including Canada after Prime Minister Mark Carney threw his hat in the ring along with France and Great Britain during the UN General Assembly in September.