Members of Parliament are debating a motion from the federal New Democrats on Monday, calling on Canada to recognize the “State of Palestine,” among a range of other calls to action in regards to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
The NDP opposition day motion, while non-binding, is already generating considerable attention as it calls for nine steps the federal government should take, including demanding an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages; suspending the trade of all military goods; and advocating for an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories.
Opposition day motions are a chance for the non-governing parties to force votes on topics of their choosing, and this comes after the federal NDP has been calling for a ceasefire for close to six months.
Debate got underway in the House of Commons at noon, and is slated to continue throughout the day, with the exception for the special tributes after question period to former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney. The motion is expected to come to a vote around 7:30 p.m. ET.
Amid an ongoing rift within the Liberal party over the government’s handling of the conflict, some Liberal MPs have indicated plans to support the motion, while others are anticipated to oppose it. It remains to be seen how Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet vote.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly was in the Middle East last week meeting with representatives including President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas, and Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Israel’s Ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed has spoken out against the motion, stating that the “one-sided recognition of a Palestinian state rewards Hamas – a listed terrorist organization by the Government of Canada – for its sadistic attack.”
“Empowering terrorists will only evoke more bloodshed and jeopardize any peaceful resolution to the conflict,” the ambassador said in a statement.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is scheduled to speak to the motion—which begins with a preamble noting that the conflict’s death toll has surpassed 30,000, while more than 100 hostages remaining in captivity— later on Monday.
In a statement he said his party advanced this motion to “force the Liberal government to finally help end this bloodshed,” which Canada has been watching unfold since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and subsequent and ongoing retaliatory strikes by Israel resulting in mass displacements and a widespread humanitarian crisis.
“Palestinians and Israelis both deserve to live in peace, with full enjoyment of their human rights and democratic freedoms. Today, we will see where the other parties stand,” Singh said.
Recognizing Palestinian statehood is a step that so far, no member country of the G7 has taken. Last week, Canada was the first G7 nation to restore funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), citing the ‘catastrophic’ situation in Gaza.
This is a developing story, check back for updates…
