The school’s principal, Aaron Hobbs, at first defended the song’s use, saying it was an attempt to bring diversity and inclusion to Remembrance Day. He later apologized
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Ottawa’s public school board has launched an investigation into a school’s Remembrance Day ceremony that featured a Palestinian protest song about peace in Gaza as the musical accompaniment at school assemblies.
The Arabic-language song was played three times at the Remembrance Day ceremonies for students in all grade levels at Sir Robert Borden school, leading some angry and distressed students and parents to complain of it being inappropriate for the event and politically charged, as reported by National Post.
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Ottawa-Carleton District School Board announced the investigation Tuesday in a letter to the school community.
“The OCDSB is conducting a thorough investigation into this issue to ensure it is addressed appropriately and meaningfully,” reads the community message from Walter Piovesan, the board’s superintendent of instruction.
“Student well-being is our priority, and we are committed to ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. In order to ensure the integrity of the investigation, we will not be commenting further on this matter until the investigation is complete. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
The announcement from the board follows a letter sent to the school community on Monday night from the school’s principal, Aaron Hobbs, offering an apology for the music selection that “caused significant distress to some members of our school community.”
“The inclusion of a song that could be seen as politically charged was not in line with the values of respect and unity that we strive to uphold at this school,” Hobbs said in his letter.
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His letter represented a change in Hobb’s stance on the issue, however, as just a few hours earlier he staunchly defended the song’s use in a meeting with several students who met with him to voice their concern.
At that meeting, Hobbs told the students it was chosen to bring diversity and inclusion to Remembrance Day because it is usually only about “a white guy who has done something related to the military.”
Remembrance Day is about showing gratitude for Fallen Canadian Veterans, not other causes
The principal’s backtracking apology, however, in turn upset the advocacy group Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East.
“The selective outrage and swift backlash reveal a troubling double standard that unfairly targets Palestinian and Arabic cultural expression, framing it as inherently controversial or politically charged,” said Jamila Ewais, researcher and spokesperson for the advocacy group.
The principal’s response “reveals an underlying bias that labels Arabic expression as inappropriate in spaces intended to promote inclusivity and unity, while political calls to dismiss those who embrace diverse voices threaten educators’ freedom to genuinely foster inclusivity, said a statement from Ewais.
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“This prejudice not only marginalizes the Palestinian community further but also undermines Canada’s professed commitment to multicultural inclusivity.”
Meanwhile, the Royal Canadian Legion said the school should not mix the important and solemn meaning of Remembrance Day with other causes or events.
“Remembrance Day is about showing gratitude for Fallen Canadian Veterans, not other causes,” said Nujma Bond, national spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Legion, the country’s leading organization for military veterans.
“We invite all educators to refer to our new guide so that they can be sure they are following appropriate protocols when planning a Remembrance Day ceremony, including when it comes to music,” Bond said.
The Legion has more than 70 songs available for download online that veterans deem appropriate for use at Remembrance Day ceremonies.
The school board declined to make additional comments other than the memo sent by Piovesan.
An outspoken board trustee, Nili Kaplan-Myrth, who has been sanctioned by her board over a code of conduct complaint relating to vocal advocacy against antisemitism, said the school’s Remembrance Day service breached the board’s own policies.
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“On Remembrance Day we recall WWI Armistice and honour all who have fallen in the military service of Canada. It is inappropriate to make it about the Middle East,” Kaplan-Myrth said.
“Furthermore, we have a district policy against schools participating in demonstrations that refer to global politics. It is inexcusable to disrespect Canadian veterans and there is a pattern of alienating Jewish students that is deeply troubling.”
Lisa MacLeod, member of provincial parliament for the riding of Nepean, which encompasses Sir Robert Borden school, on Monday called for Hobbs to be disciplined for his decision. On Tuesday she said she hoped the school board’s promise of a thorough investigation was heartfelt.
“My hope is that the school board is taking this review seriously. This is a matter of Canadian values protection, the well-being of students and an appropriate way to honour our military veterans and servicemen and women, and those who died, giving the ultimate sacrifice,” MacLeod said.
“If this is just an attempt to suffocate the story and contain public input, then we will not be any further ahead and that will be regretful.”
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Hobbs has not returned multiple requests for comment by National Post.
Several students said they used a phone app to identify the song and it took them to music platforms featuring artwork of Palestinian protests and other songs by the artist that seem highly political.
The song was Haza Salam by Mahim Ahmed, according to the students.
The title is often translated into English as “This is Peace” and it appears to have been released less than two months after the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attacks on Israel by Hamas.
It has since become identified with Palestinian protests about Israel and the continuing war in Gaza. Online, versions of the song have been made into videos showing montages of photos of causalities from Gaza, Palestinian protests, and artificial intelligence-derived images of combat scenes with explosions.
Leading up to Remembrance Day, a Nova Scotia school that asked veterans not to wear their uniforms to a Remembrance Day ceremony drew public outrage — including flak from the province’s premier — and reversed its decision.
• Email: ahumphreys@postmedia.com | X: AD_Humphreys
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