Open Letter to the Saint John Newcomers Centre regarding International Culturefest 2026
To the Organizers of the Annual International CultureFest 2026 - Saint John, NB
We are writing to express our serious concern regarding the continued inclusion of the Israeli Zionist group in the Saint John Annual Multicultural Festival.
At a time when the world is witnessing the ongoing genocide, ethnic cleansing, mass displacement, and apartheid policies imposed on the Palestinian people, allowing representatives who openly promote fascism and defend and justify the policies of the Israeli Zionist state sends a harmful and deeply insensitive message to many members of our communities, including Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, and all those who stand for human rights and justice. And it is contrary to the values of inclusion, human rights, dignity, and justice that multicultural festivals claim to uphold.
Culture cannot be separated from political reality when that reality involves the destruction of an Indigenous people, the bombing of civilians, the targeting of children, Doctors, Professors, Teachers, Artists, Athletes, and the starvation of entire populations, and the ongoing military occupation and colonization of Palestinian land. Allowing such participation normalizes and whitewashes these war crimes under the banner of “multiculturalism” and “cultural exchange.”
Furthermore, given the disruption, tensions, and community division that occurred during last year’s festival surrounding the participation of this Zionist propagandist group, it would be wise and responsible for the organizers to seriously reconsider allowing their participation again this year. Repeating the same decision despite the previous incidents and the escalating humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine risks further harm to community relations and public safety during what should be a respectful and welcoming cultural gathering.
The actions and violations committed by the Israeli state are not limited to Gaza and Palestine alone. Its military aggression, violations of sovereignty, and destabilizing actions have also extended to countries across the region, including Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, and Iran. These actions have caused deep pain, trauma, destruction, and fear among many communities whose people have directly experienced war, bombardment, displacement, and instability linked to Israeli military terrorism and regional policies.
As a result, many members of ethnocultural communities originating from these regions may feel unsafe, alienated, and deeply uncomfortable seeing representatives and propagandists promoting and normalizing a state associated with violence and crimes committed against their peoples and homelands.
We also note that recent events involving the detention of Canadian humanitarian activists participating in a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla have raised serious concern and were publicly acknowledged and condemned by Canada’s Foreign Affairs authorities. These incidents further underscore the risks faced by civilians engaging in peaceful humanitarian action and deepen existing concerns about the normalization of such conduct in public cultural spaces.
We also remind the organizers that senior Israeli leaders are currently subjects of arrest, sanctions and international legal proceedings and investigations before the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Many communities and organizations worldwide are taking principled positions against normalization of the Israeli apartheid regime and its policies.
As grass roots, ethnocultural and community groups, we believe multicultural spaces should not be used to provide legitimacy or public relations platforms for states and organizations connected to state terrorism, oppression, apartheid, war crimes, and ongoing violations of international law.
We therefore call on the Saint John Newcomers Centre and the organizers of the Annual Multicultural Festival to reconsider the participation of the Israeli Zionist group in this year’s event and to stand on the side of human rights, justice, and genuine solidarity among peoples.
We also urge all individuals, groups, and organizations that stand for justice, human rights, and the dignity of oppressed peoples to seriously reconsider their participation in, or attendance at, events that provide an uncritical platform to actors who justify, normalize, or whitewash grave violations of international law, including ongoing mass atrocities against Palestinians.
Multicultural spaces should not be used to legitimize narratives that deny lived realities of military occupation, Genocide, displacement, and systemic oppression. When such platforms are offered without accountability or balance, they risk becoming spaces where harmful state narratives are amplified under the guise of cultural representation.
In light of this, we call on community members to reflect deeply on the ethical implications of engaging with events that include such participation, and to take principled stands consistent with human rights, equality, and justice.
June 10th, 2026
Saint John, NB, Canada
To: Saint John Newcomers Centre
CC: Media Outlets
P.S. We welcome additional endorsements from organizations, community groups, faith leaders, and community leaders who share the concerns expressed in this letter. To add your endorsement, please contact us at pscsjnb@gmail.com
Endorsed by:
Palestinian Organizations and Palestine Solidarity Groups
Association of Palestinian Arab Canadians – National Capital
Atlantic Canada Palestinian Society of Saint John
Canadian BDS Coalition
Fredericton Palestine Solidarity
International BDS Allies
Palestine Solidarity Committee of Saint John
Palestine Solidarity Sudbury
Wolastoq Grand Council – Wolastoqewi Kci-Sakom Spasaqosit Posesom – Ron Tremblay
Independent Jewish Voices – New Brunswick Chapter
Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU)
Rabbi David Mivasair
Food Not Bombs – Menahkwesk (Saint John)
Regina Peace Council
Saint John Community Coalition
Collective of Indonesian Cultures Association (CINTA)
Stir the Pot Distro
Just Peace Advocate
Ontario Palestinian Rights Association
