A prominent Liberal MP says he is reflecting on whether he belongs in the governing party after the Liberal caucus and cabinet backed an NDP opposition motion on the Israel-Hamas war, which passed.
Anthony Housefather, who has represented the Montreal riding of Mount Royal since 2015, says the Liberals should have voted down the motion advanced by NDP MP Heather McPherson.
However, the Liberals worked with the NDP to significantly amend the motion to come up with one that they could support. Housefather, the parliamentary secretary to Treasury Board President Anita Anand, also said he was struck by Liberals applauding McPherson after the vote.
Speaking to journalists today at the House of Commons, Housefather, who recounted his pride in being both a Jewish Canadian and a Canadian, said he is pondering his next move.
“I think it’s the first time in my parliamentary career that I’ve had a reflection like this where I truly felt last night that a line had been crossed,” he said.
“When my party members got up and cheered and gave a standing ovation to Heather McPherson and the NDP, I started reflecting as to whether or not I belonged, and I will let you know further how I feel over the coming days. For the moment, I am still there.”
As Senior Political Reporter Marieke Walsh reports here, the non-binding motion, which passed late Monday evening, came closer to mirroring existing government policy on a negotiated two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians, after a day of tense negotiations between the Liberals and the NDP.
The talks resulted in the NDP removing the most contentious part of its motion, which called on Canada to recognize the state of Palestine. Meanwhile, Israel’s ambassador to Canada says the motion will weaken Israel’s ability to defend itself.
Housefather said he cares passionately about Israel. “It’s the only refuge for Jewish people when they are exiled or thrown out of countries, and with the strong wave of antisemitism across the world, you need an Israel,“ he said.
“I didn’t feel like some members of Parliament or a lot of members of Parliament understood the existential threat that Israel faces and the fears of Jewish Canadians as a result of what’s happening domestically and what’s happening abroad.”
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), known for his ambitious plans and controversial actions, has been engaging U.S. lawmakers with a dire message: his life may be in danger due to his pursuit of a landmark agreement between Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the United States. In discussions with Congress members, MBS has likened his situation to that of Egypt’s Anwar Sadat, the leader assassinated after forging peace with Israel. The crown prince has emphasized that any deal with Israel must include a credible path toward Palestinian statehood, a point that has taken on new urgency given the intensifying anger in the Arab world over Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.
This high-stakes negotiation involves much more than just normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The proposed grand bargain includes security guarantees, economic investments, and cooperation on a civilian nuclear program from the U.S. in exchange for Saudi Arabia limiting its dealings with China and establishing ties with Israel. The crown prince has reportedly stressed the significance of addressing the Palestinian issue, warning that failure to do so could undermine his legitimacy as the guardian of Islam’s holiest sites and destabilize the region.
The broader geopolitical landscape adds complexity to these negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which has expressed staunch opposition to a Palestinian state, presents a significant roadblock. Meanwhile, MBS has cited the immense risks involved, not just for Saudi Arabia but for his personal safety, underscoring that the stakes are extraordinarily high.
Despite these challenges, MBS remains committed to pursuing the deal, viewing it as crucial for Saudi Arabia’s future and the broader stability of the Middle East. Whether the crown prince’s strategy will be enough to push all parties toward a resolution remains uncertain, but the implications of this potential agreement could reshape the region for years to come.
Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has successfully fended off a primary challenge in Minnesota, securing her place as the party’s nominee for the upcoming November election in the state’s solidly Democratic-leaning 5th District. The race was closely watched, particularly after other members of the progressive “Squad” faced challenges in their own primary races.
Omar faced three challengers in the primary, the most prominent of whom was Don Samuels, a former member of the Minneapolis City Council. Despite a competitive race, Omar won with more than 67,000 votes, capturing 56% of the overall share. Samuels, who came second, garnered just under 43% of the votes and expressed his disappointment at the outcome.
This primary contest comes in the wake of primary losses by two other “Squad” members, Cori Bush of Missouri and Jamaal Bowman of New York, both of whom were defeated after significant financial backing from pro-Israel groups supporting their opponents. Unlike those races, a super PAC associated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee did not heavily target Omar’s race.
Ilhan Omar, who was born in Somalia and is one of the first Muslim women elected to the U.S. Congress, has been a vocal critic of Israel, particularly during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Despite this, she managed to avoid the fate of her peers and will continue to represent Minnesota’s 5th District in the November election.
Her victory was bolstered by support from prominent figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Vice President Kamala Harris. Omar’s campaign has focused on issues like healthcare, housing, and creating a more peaceful and equitable world, messages that resonated with her constituents.
Omar’s success in this primary is seen as a significant win for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, as she continues to be a prominent voice in Congress on issues of social justice and foreign policy.
KELOWNA, B.C. – A former leadership rival to BC United Leader Kevin Falcon is joining John Rustad’s British Columbia Conservatives to run in Kelowna in the fall election.
Gavin Dew was a candidate in the B.C. Liberal leadership race in 2022 that Falcon won, but he is now running in the Kelowna-Mission riding under the B.C. Conservatives banner.
Rustad says Dew, who owns a family-run business in Kelowna, wants to address the difficult issues of health care, public safety, agriculture and housing that are facing the province under the New Democrat government.
Dew was one of seven candidates to contest the leadership of the former B.C. Liberal Party, which has since been rebranded to the BC United.
Kelowna-Mission is currently held by BC United MLA Renee Merrifield, who announced earlier she is not running for re-election in the Oct. 19 election.
Dew joins several former BC United members who are now supporting the Conservatives, including Teresa Wat, Lorne Doerkson, Elenore Sturko and Bruce Banman, who are all current members of the legislature.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2024.
