Gaza: PLC employees threaten to boycott the by-election | Middle East, the eternal conflict

After the resounding defeat in the by-election in the riding of Toronto-St Paul’s, the Liberal Party of Canada (LPC) is facing a protest movement within its political staff on the eve of the by-election in LaSalle-Émard-Verdun. The reason? The Liberal government’s position on the war in Gaza and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in general.

Fifty-two Arab and Muslim employees working in the Liberal government sent a letter to leader of the Liberal Party in which they declare that they will not participate in his by-election campaign to retain the seat of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun, left vacant by the resignation of the former Liberal Minister of Justice, David Lametti.

The signatories of the letter, a copy of which was obtained by CBC, write: Even though many of us began our political careers in elections as volunteers, we can no longer, in good conscience, campaign for a party that excludes us and our values.

They also point out that they are subject to increasing pressure by Liberal staffers to phone and knock on voters’ doors.

The signatories not only stayed out of the election campaign, they also sought and received support from a group of influential Arab and Muslim donors to the Liberal Party known as the 100-GTA Network, London, Ottawa, Montreal.

Last November, the group announced it was withdrawing from the ranks of major Liberal Party donors because of then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s reluctance to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

What the staff is really trying to do is help the Liberal Party wake up, and that is why we are taking this extreme measure.

The war in Gaza at the heart of their action

Staff members say they will not participate in activities as party members until the government changes its diplomatic posture to join our allies in explicitly condemning Israel for its numerous war crimes and for the genocidal rhetoric of members of the Israeli cabinet.

They also demand that Canada joins our allies, including Norway, Spain and Ireland, in recognizing the State of Palestine et recognizes anti-Palestinian racism as a unique form of hatred and works to address it in Canada.

The workers are demanding that the government revoke existing arms export permits to Israel and close loopholes that allow Canadian-made weapons to be shipped through third countries.

Finally, they are asking for an end to any collaboration between Canadian and Israeli researchers in the field of research on military or dual-use technologies [civil et militaire, NDLR].

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office did not directly address the demands made in the letter, but said Canada continues to call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Perception of double standards

Staffers said there was anger that Liberal MPs and staffers, some of whom have relatives in Gaza, had been reprimanded or told to keep their opinions to themselves. Meanwhile, Liberal MP Anthony Housefather criticised his own party and openly discussed leaving after a motion on support for Palestinian statehood was passed in the House of Commons.

Staff believe Housefather was rewarded in July with a new appointment as special adviser to the prime minister on anti-Semitism and Jewish affairs.

Until we are no longer ashamed to tell our communities and families that we are actively campaigning for the Liberal Party, we will suspend our partisan activities.

The same group had already written a letter to Justin Trudeau in November 2023, calling on Canada to play a greater role in demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. The letter called for changes, but did not threaten specific actions such as refusing to campaign for the party.

The new letter refers to this latest attempt to influence government policy.

Over the past months, we have expressed our growing concerns about the human rights violations suffered by Palestinians and advocated for a policy shift towards a posture aligned with our values.we can read in the letter. We often felt ignored by our party leadership.

Staffers told CBC News they don’t want to hurt their party’s chances in the Montreal byelection and will deliver the letter privately to the premier to avoid embarrassing the ministers they work for. Staffers from nearly every minister’s office have signed the letter.

Nobody wants to see a Canada where Pierre Poilievre is Prime Minister.we can read in the letter.

You cannot profit from our work at home while perpetuating our dehumanization abroad. As staff members, we are in an extremely difficult position, but we have a moral obligation to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

Staffers also told CBC News they were frustrated that cabinet ministers who wanted to see Canada take a stronger stance against the Gaza war were being overruled by more pro-Israel cabinet members who enjoy the prime minister’s support.

According to CBC’s Evan Dyer’s report