Ottawa city officials say Israel flag-raising ceremony will be private event

Ottawa city officials say Israel's flag will be raised on Tuesday in a private event to mark the country's Independence Day, after plans for an associated public ceremony were initially called off.

In a statement emailed to CBC on Monday afternoon, the city said it's agreed to allow the Jewish Federation of Ottawa to hold a ceremony but it's not giving details about where or when it will be.

Last week the city said that, after consulting the federation and the Ottawa Police Service, it decided to still raise the flag at city hall but not hold a public ceremony, citing concerns the event would pose a risk to public safety.

No details were provided about those security concerns. That announcement prompted outcry from Jewish leaders plus local and federal politicians, including Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.

Sutcliffe said on Friday that he asked police and city officials to find a way to hold the event safely.

He had called the initial decision to cancel the event "another blow" to the Jewish community because of "escalating threats and hostility."

In its statement on Monday, the city said that, in recognition Ottawa's ethnic diversity, it will fly the flag of any nation on its national day with whom Canada has diplomatic relations.

"Following concerns raised by the community, the city has worked with [police and the federation] in an effort to allow the ceremony to move forward," the statement continued.

"Based on these discussions and the resulting plans, the city has agreed to allow the Jewish Federation of Ottawa's event to take place."

CBC has reached out to the federation for comment.