November 28, 2025
HALIFAX – B’nai Brith Canada is encouraged and grateful that the YMCA of Greater Halifax and Dartmouth has chosen to rescind the 2025 Peace Medal previously awarded to Rana Zaman, following our intervention.
Over the past week, B’nai Brith conducted a detailed review of Ms. Zaman’s long record of statements that included antisemitic comments, troubling distortions of the Holocaust, and public support for acts of terror committed by Hamas. These findings were shared with the YMCA’s leadership, who reviewed the material seriously and with integrity.
“The YMCA made a responsible and principled decision,” said Simon Wolle, CEO of B’nai Brith Canada. “Rescinding this award was not easy, but it was the correct course of action. When a nominee publicly supports antisemitism, distorts the Holocaust, or defends terrorism, there must be consequences. We appreciate the YMCA’s leadership for taking this seriously and acting with integrity.”
B’nai Brith Canada thanks the YMCA’s leadership for their openness, their willingness to engage, and their principled decision-making. We look forward to continued cooperation to ensure that future Peace Medal recipients truly embody the compassion, integrity, and hope that the award is intended to honour.