Latest news with #JeremyLevi
CTV News
3 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Israeli flag installed outside town hall in Hampstead, Que. stirs local debate
Outside the Hampstead Town Hall, the addition of the flag of Israel is raising concerns among some residents. The Israeli flag has flown outside Hampstead's town hall since October 2023 — and it's getting mixed reactions from residents of the Montreal suburb. Among them is 25-year-old Adam Ben David, who says the flag doesn't belong on the municipal property. 'I think it's inflammatory to have a foreign flag that is not representative of every single person in this community, which is very diverse,' he said in an interview. The flag replaced Hampstead's municipal banner, taking its place alongside the Canadian and Quebec flags. Mayor Jeremy Levi told CTV News the move was suggested by the town's then–director general and supported by council. 'Every other government across the world had done so,' Levi said. 'We never told the DG how to do it or to remove the Hampstead flag. If Hampstead residents feel so patriotic towards the Hampstead flag, we can always install a fourth flagpole — I just don't think it's a great use of resources.' Residents split on the issue For some residents, the flag is a symbol of solidarity, but for others it's an inappropriate political statement for municipal grounds. CTV News approached several people outside town hall and in a nearby park, but the vast majority declined to speak publicly. Among those who did, opinions were divided. One woman, who asked not to be identified, said she supports keeping the flag. She described it as a sign of support, acknowledging how many communities in the Middle East are going through tragic times. 'I see nothing wrong in putting it up because it's reflecting that there's something terrible going on in Israel and we're all in mourning for that situation, collectively,' she said. Sisters Keren and Bénédicte Paka, who have lived in Hampstead for two years, saw it differently. 'It's problematic because there are many international students here, international workers, Quebecers and other people — I don't think it has its place here,' said Keren. Bénédicte added: 'I think to make everyone feel comfortable, the flag should be taken down — so that each person feels free and not oppressed by one community or another.' While there's division, Levi has been clear that he will not remove the flag. 'It doesn't matter to me if there's two signatures or 2,000 signatures,' he wrote in a statement to CTV News. 'My position will not change.' He also said he has never received a formal complaint from residents about it and, on the contrary, has received 'many compliments.' Petition for flag removal Ben David began knocking on doors this summer to build support for removing the flag. He has gathered roughly 40 signatures so far and said he plans to continue canvassing as the weather cools. 'The Israeli flag represents a whole host of things: politically, religiously, ethnically,' Ben David said. 'In my opinion, it's unfair for the mayor to hoist it on behalf of 7,000 people — because a flag can incite all sorts of things: happiness and joy, but also fear and despair.' Ben David told CTV News that some residents who agreed with him refused to sign publicly. 'They're afraid of either being chastised by the mayor or other people in our community,' he said, emphasizing that 'it's an incredibly difficult time to be Jewish.' He also questioned why the flag needed to remain permanently. 'I don't understand why it has to be permanent considering that we are a diverse plurality here,' he said. For his part, Levi rejected the allegation that residents feared harassment. 'I have never harassed or shamed a private resident and would never do so,' Levi wrote, adding that he believed the petition was politically motivated ahead of municipal elections in less than three months. He said residents who want the flag removed should take it up with council, which holds the vote. He insisted he will 'never back down from supporting Israel and the Jewish community,' adding: 'If residents are unhappy with that position, November 2, 2025, is their chance to make a change.' It's a position Levi also made clear in a post on X in late July, in which he wrote: 'I will never take down the Israeli flag, if that's a problem for you, vote me out next election.' Despite him standing firm on the decision, others, like Ben David, say they intend to push forward with their demand for the flag to come down. Ben David said he intends to bring the matter to town council next week. With the latest census data showing about 40 per cent of Hampstead residents are not Jewish, the flag remains a lightning rod in the small, predominantly Jewish suburb.
CBC
3 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Israeli flag in front of Hampstead, Que., town hall ruffles some residents
Adam Ben David, who lives in the on-island Montreal suburb, shared a letter with his concerns on social media and with the town's mayor. Mayor Jeremy Levi says he never received complaints from residents about the flag and has no intention of lowering it.
CTV News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Heated Hampstead council meeting ends with police removing former mayor
Former Hampstead mayor William Steinberg was removed by police during a heated council meeting after clashing with Mayor Jeremy Levi over spending and transparency. The mayor and former mayor of Hampstead went toe to toe during Monday's council meeting, hurling accusations of misappropriating public funds at each other in a heated exchange that ended with the latter being expelled by Montreal police (SPVM). According to the SPVM, the town of Hamstead requested police assistance in expelling a 77-year-old man who was behaving 'inappropriately or disruptively' during the meeting. The confrontation lasted about 15 minutes, during which both men continuously interrupted each other. 'The police intervened to remove this man. There was nothing criminal and no arrest was made,' said SPVM spokesperson Julien Lévesque. Former mayor William Steinberg called his removal 'disgraceful' and said that he was looking for answers. Former mayor of Hampstead William Steinberg During the exchange, Steinberg confronted Mayor Jeremy Levi about a 40.5 per cent salary increase for councillors, totalling $207,738, and questioned expensive travel and hotel stays, including a $900-a-night stay at the Dallas Omni hotel. 'I want to be clear, I'm not saying they did anything illegal. You elect people, they can pretty much do what they want, and it's too bad you elected them. So, 40 per cent salary increase, of course, it's outrageous,' said Steinberg in a recent interview. He said his wife was also kicked out of the meeting when she later 'called [Levi] on a lie. 'I mean, this is not transparent. This is not honest,' said Steinberg. Steinberg was mayor of Hampstead for 16 years until he lost to Levi in 2021. Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi Levi defended the salary increase, saying that Steinberg 'erroneously' advised the council that the mayor's salary has to be three times that of a councillor. 'We looked into that and that was never the case. It's factually incorrect. I looked at the amount of work that council puts in. You know better than anybody else the amount of work that gets involved with council,' Levi told Steinberg during the exchange. 'So, we thought it was perfectly acceptable for $38,000 for a councillor to have as their salary, which is very in line with other councillors throughout the city. I don't see why they would be required to pay it back.' As for the Dallas hotel stay, Levi said the conference took place at the Omni, and the rate was $480 U.S. a night. Levi then noted he looked into Steinberg's expense reimbursements during his mandate and found the former mayor claimed over $16,000 compared to $200 so far under his own term. Steinberg argued that Levi misrepresented his expenses by focusing only on reimbursements, some of which were purchases made on behalf of the town. Many of the allegations Steinberg has made against Levi and the rest of the council are found in his blog, where he also mentions a January 2024 report by the Commission municipale du Québec (CMQ) into the improper use of credit cards by municipal employees and 'inadequate control of the expenses incurred.' According to the former mayor, he obtained the financial information through numerous access to information requests. Levi has repeatedly defended Hampstead's director general, Richard Sun, claiming he did not engage in any wrongdoing and that the council has no grounds to suspect foul play or improper conduct. In a statement to CTV News, Levi's office said that several of the expenses cited in the blog post were incurred during the pandemic when traditional town-wide holiday gatherings were not feasible. 'Council instead authorized smaller, department-specific meals in local restaurants to recognize staff efforts—an approach aligned with the town's intent to maintain employee morale and support local businesses, in accordance with public health guidelines,' Hampstead spokesperson Sarah-Eve Longtin said. Additionally, she said that only a single adjustment of 29 per cent for a salary increase was approved in July 2022. In terms of the CMQ report, Longtin said the town has taken concrete action in response to the CMQ's recommendations, including the implementation of a strengthened policy framework governing the use of town credit cards. 'Internal procedures regarding expense approval, documentation, and accountability have been reinforced through revised protocols and staff training,' she added. Steinberg said that he plans on publishing a new blog post within the next few days. 'I have no plans to run. I want this council replaced by honest, ethical people who care about Hampstead,' he said.
