The NDP is calling on the Canadian government to recognize Palestine as a state.
The call comes in an opposition motion the socialist party plans to introduce when the House of Commons returns next week.
Also included in the motion is a call for Canada’s continued recognition of Israel’s right to exist, as well as for Canada to “advocate for an end to the decades-long occupation of Palestinian territories and work toward a two-state solution.”.
“Jewish, Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian Canadians have reported an increase in hate-motivated attacks and racism since October,” reads the motion. “Palestinians and Israelis both deserve to live in peace, with full enjoyment of their human rights and democratic freedoms.”
The motion also calls on Canada to “ban extremist settlers from Canada” and sanction Israeli officials who “incite genocide,” while preserving sanctions against leaders of Hamas.
Settlers refers to Israelis who live on land in the West Bank. Critics of Israel maintain that settlements are illegal.
The opposition motion calls on the government to demand an “immediate ceasefire” and for all hostages to be released. It also calls for a halt on all military and technological trade with Israel while increasing efforts to stop illegal arms trading, including with Hamas.
The motion is not binding on the government if it passes.
The NDP also wants the Canadian government to commit to long-term funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, whose federal funding the Liberals announced last week they’d be reinstating, despite evidence that some UNRWA staff were involved in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack against Israel.
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather has said he will “forcefully oppose” the NDP’s motion.
“It should come as no surprise to anyone that I will strongly and forcefully oppose the NDP opposition day motion on March 18 that would reverse 50 years of Canadian foreign policy & unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state thus rewarding Hamas for its pogrom of Oct. 7,” he wrote.
Housefather’s comments were condemned by Mona Abuamara, the Palestinian Authority’s representative in Canada, who called Israel a “ruthless occupier” and said Palestinian self-determination is “an inalienable, non-negotiable, indivisible right.”
The Liberal MP replied to Abuamara on X.
“Just let it be known that this is how the Palestinian representative in Canada refers to the state of Israel and her refusal to recognize that Jews are also indigenous to this land,” he wrote.
Housefather was not the only MP in opposition to the NDP motion. Independent MP Kevin Vuong, who’s eyeing a new home with the Conservatives, called for Hamas to release the hostages to find peace.
“The NDP’s attempt to reward terrorist group #Hamas for the horrors of Oct. 7th with unilateral recognition must & will fail,” wrote Vuong on X.
The NDP motion calls to facilitate the safe return of Canadians trapped in Gaza by moving the limit of 1,000 temporary resident visa applications.
