Gaza war continues to divide Liberal caucus | Middle East, the eternal conflict

The appointment of Liberal MP Anthony Housefather to a post to combat anti-Semitism – which had been brewing behind the scenes for several weeks – was postponed due to concerns about the unity of the Liberal Party of Canada (PLC) caucus. , divided over the war in Gaza, CBC has learned.

The upcoming announcement of his nomination spread through Liberal ranks Thursday evening, but divisions within the caucus reportedly slowed the process.

Sources who spoke to the English-speaking counterpart of Radio-Canada, including a member of the caucus, doubt the relevance of such an appointment, while Canada already benefits from the services of Deborah Lyons as Canada’s special envoy for preserving the memory of the Holocaust and combating anti-Semitism.

Anthony Housefather, who represents the riding of Mont-Royal (Montreal), had already publicly shown his colors and threatened to leave the PLC after the adoption in March of a New Democratic motion on support for a Palestinian state.

On April 5, he announced that he was remaining in the Liberal caucus, citing discussions with Justin Trudeau that had convinced him.

: “Come work with me, come work with Deborah Lyons, take a leadership role on this and we will fix it””,”text”:”He said: “Come work with me, come work with Deborah Lyons, take a leadership role on this issue and we will fix it””}}”>He [Justin Trudeau] said, “Come work with me, come work with Deborah Lyons, take a leadership role on this and we will fix it.”declared Mr. Housefather in an interview on the show Power & Politicsat CBC.

Contacted by CBC, Mr. Housefather did not wish to comment on the situation. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Trudeau’s office also declined CBC’s request.

The Trudeau government is the target of criticism from Jewish groups who accuse it of not supporting Israel enough, but has seen its popularity decline among both Jewish and Muslim voters in the wake of the war raging in the Strip. from Gaza.

Israel has been carrying out an offensive there since the surprise attack by Hamas fighters on October 7, which at that time left nearly 1,200 dead and 250 Israeli hostages. The Israeli offensive, which left more than 37,500 Palestinians dead and destroyed significant sectors of the Gaza Strip, is provoking divisive reactions internationally. Canada is no exception.

A senior government official –​ who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly on the situation – said no announcement about the appointment would be made on Saturday.

This same source adds that confronting the rise in anti-Semitism and violence directed against Jewish communities across Canada remained a priority for Justin Trudeau, as did the fight against Islamophobia.

The government will have to find a way to differentiate Mr. Housefather’s responsibilities from those of Ms. Lyons, this source acknowledged, and will have to decide what his role will be within the Liberal caucus.

Not the right person for the job, MP Ali says

Shafqat Ali, Liberal MP for Brampton Centre, told CBC News in a text message exchange that he thought Anthony Housefather was not the right person for the job.

I think his appointment will not be helpful in combating anti-Semitism or Islamophobia because he lacks judgment and has further contributed to dividing Canadians over the past eight monthshe wrote.

Ben Carr or Julie Dabrusin, or anyone with a balanced approach, would do a better jobhe added, referring to the Liberal MPs from Winnipeg South Center and Toronto–Danforth.

In a telephone interview, Ali added that he was not sure what Mr. Housefather would do in this position without encroaching on Deborah Lyons’ work.

A connection with the by-election in Toronto–St. Paul’s?

The announcement was therefore to come a few days before the by-election in the riding of Toronto–St. Paul’s, which the Liberals hope not to lose to the Conservatives.

Jewish voters represent 11% of the electorate in this riding, according to 2019 Elections Canada data.

Shafqat Ali told CBC he does not believe there is a connection between the two events. People will have made their decision to votehe said. I don’t know if this will have an impact in an election.

This impression is also that of the anonymous senior government official cited by CBC.

The Mont-Royal riding in the sights of the Conservatives

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announced earlier this week that Montreal lawyer Neil Oberman, who led the request for an injunction against the Propalestinian encampment at McGill University this spring, will be a candidate in the riding of Mount Royal during the next federal election.

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The conservatives want to take advantage of what they perceive as a vulnerability of liberals in the Jewish community in order to wrest this seat from the PLC in the next election, held by Anthony Housefather since 2015.

Conservatives believe he has lost his voice within the Liberal caucus, in particular because of the government’s position on the conflict in Gaza which has moved away from support for Israel.

The conservatives also believe that the Liberals’ proximity to the New Democratic Party, with its more pro-Palestinian positions, could also harm its support.

With information from Raffy Boudjikanian (CBC News), Christian Noël and Louis Blouin