On Nov 19, 2025, Rana Zaman was awarded the YMCA Peace Medal by the YMCA of the Greater Halifax/Dartmouth. But in a blatant act of anti-Palestinian racism, about a week later on Nov 27, the award/medal was rescinded from Ms. Zaman by the YMCA at the behest of the zionist lobby groups Atlantic Jewish Council and B’nai Brith.
This is yet another demonstration of the uncomfortable reach that the zionist lobby (with the approval of the Canadian government) has on Canadian civil society institutions, whereby awards are frequently rescinded due to anti-genocide statements and support for Palestinian rights. In this case like many others, B’nai Brith has openly celebrated their personal smearing campaign against Ms. Zaman.
Brian Posavad, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Halifax/ Dartmouth, directly informed Ms. Zaman that the zionist lobbies had pressured the national YMCA and subsequently the national council of Ys pressured him to rescind Ms. Zaman’s award. This does not absolve Mr. Posavad and the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth for their reprehensible actions.
It should be noted that this is not the first time an award has been taken away from Rana Zaman due to zionist pressure. In 2019, the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission recognized Ms. Zaman’s human rights work with its “Individual Award.” But after an orchestrated personal defaming campaign, by Atlantic Jewish Council and several local rabbis, NSHRC withdrew the award from her.
Local community groups and Palestinian solidarity groups such The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) and the Canada Palestine Association Halifax have publicly condemn YMCA’s Anti-Palestinian Racism and their succumbing to zionist pressure. In a show of solidarity, Chris Catherine Cochrane, a previous recipient of the same award in 2023, returned their YMCA Peace Medal.
We, the Canadian BDS Coalition and International BDS Allies, strongly condemn the YMCA’s actions and their capitulation to zionist pressure. The punishing of activists and human rights defenders by Canadian institutions due to their public advocacy for Palestinian rights and criticism of Israel’s on going genocide in Gaza needs to stop.
Resources:
YMCA Peace Medal criteria:
https://ymcahfx.ca/peacemedal/#PM_criteria
YMCA statement rescinding Rana’s Peace Medal:
https://ymcahfx.ca/y-pledges-changes-to-peace-medal-process-rescinds-individual-medal/
B’nai Brith campaign against Rana’s medal:
https://www.bnaibrith.ca/halifax-ymca-to-reward-radical-who-spread-antisemitic-conspiracy-theories/
B’nai Brith claims involvement in the rescindment:
https://www.bnaibrith.ca/bnai-brith-canada-commends-ymca-decision-to-rescind-2025-peace-medal-awarded-to-rana-zaman/
Chris Catherine Cochrane, previous recipient, returns their YMCA Peace Medal in solidarity:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DRry9txkQ5e/?img_index=1
Open letter from Stephen Kimber:
https://stephenkimber.com/an-open-letter-concerning-the-ymcas-decision-to-rescind-the-peace-medal-awarded-to-rana-zaman/
Examiner article about the rescindment, including email from Y CEO confirming that B’nai Brith asked for the rescindment:
https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/local-news/its-not-about-me-rana-zaman-speaks-after-ymca-rescinds-her-award/
The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation statement:
https://www.cjpmefoundation.org/pr_2025_12_01_arpcf_condemns_ymca_s_revocation_of_peace_medal_from_rana_zaman
Canada Palestine Organization statement:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DRw-YX_jtXa/?igsh=MWRwaGY3bDRkb2J5YQ==
Judy Haiven Substack article:
https://judyhaiven.substack.com/p/removes-peace-medal-from-palestine