Edmonton City Councillor Michael Janz is no stranger to social media, but some of his recent posts have Edmonton’s Jewish community worried that he is spreading misinformation that could be harmful.
of Jewish Federation of Edmonton saved some screenshots of the content shared on the city councilor’s Instagram stories last week, mainly focused on the conflict in Gaza and its impact on children.
“If you have a newborn baby right now, anywhere in the world, your new baby is more likely to be killed by Israel than to die any other way,” said one of Janz’s posts re-shared by a pro-Palestine account.
“At the end of the day, councilors are free to speak on any issue they want. They are ultimately held accountable for their actions,” said Mayor Andrew Knack.
He added that Janz removed that post a short time later. The Jewish Federation said the damage was already done.
“What he’s doing is demonizing Israel, demonizing the Jewish community there, and as a result, the Jewish community here — which is so connected to that — is also feeling demonized,” said Jewish Federation of Edmonton CEO Stacey Leavitt-Wright.
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“It’s creating a safety risk — a very real risk to our community right now.”
His city councilor Mike Elliott said he was surprised by the posts – he believes civic politics is no place for international affairs.
“I know we have freedom of speech and we can say whatever we want, but let’s focus on what we need to focus on — which is Edmontonians and our city,” Elliott said.
Global News reached out to Janz on Tuesday for an on-camera interview, which he declined and instead released a statement.
“Like many Edmontonians, I am appalled by the genocide in Palestine and the many well-documented war crimes committed by the State of Israel,” it read in part.
Our compassion should have no limits or boundaries.”
Janz added that he will continue to share data from organizations such as the United Nations’ Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which last week released a report on physical and psychological harm by Israeli security forces.
“Every person should read these horrific findings. I will continue to share these reports on my social media,” he said.
Mayor Knack chose his words carefully Tuesday when asked if Janz was inconsistent with his Instagram stories.
“Well, I would say that anyone who’s not sharing accurate information, that’s not what we want to see,” Knack said. “There may no longer be a code of conduct, but we still have to hold ourselves to a high standard.”
Elliott echoed that sentiment, releasing his statement on Monday. He said the city council’s job is to focus on local issues like roads, transit, housing and the budget — which he said is a full term in itself.
He said international conflicts are real and painful, but they are outside the council’s jurisdiction and expertise.
“Elected officials publicly weighing in on them doesn’t change anything overseas — it only risks dividing the very communities we’re here to represent,” Elliott wrote.
“The words we choose carry weight beyond our opinions – they can unite residents or deepen divisions in the community we serve.
“That responsibility does not disappear because the subject is outside our jurisdiction; if anything, it is a reason for increased caution.”
Leavitt-Wright agreed.
“I think this is a moment that calls for leadership — to say that here in Edmonton, city council needs to focus on the work of city council and stay out of international conflict and not bring that divisiveness to our city.”
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