Ten activists are occupying a NDP office in Toronto today, to protest against the party’s recent statement on Gaza stating that it is neither balanced nor just.
The sit-in at MP Craig Scott’s office is being held in solidarity with the people of Gaza, and protestors are demanding that the NDP stop blaming victims, said organizer Barry Weisleder.
In an op-ed in the Toronto Star, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair criticized Prime Minister Stephen Harper for taking a one-sided approach on the issue of Israel and Gaza. Mulcair wrote that the NDP want an end to Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and end to violence targeting civilians. He also stated that Israel has the right to defend itself from attacks from Hamas. He called for an end to the blockade on Gaza, while saying he recognized Israel’s security concerns.
Mulcair said that, “While Conservatives and Liberals have both taken a one-sided approach, New Democrats have been speaking out in a principled and balanced way.”
The protestors in Toronto believe Mulcair’s approach is not balanced. During the month-long attack, over 1965 Palestinians have been killed; 1417 of those were civilians. Over 200, 000 people are displaced in Gaza and vital infrastructure has been destroyed. Three Israeli civilians and 64 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the fighting.
“We need a clear and unequivocal denunciation of the crimes committed by the dominant power and there’s no moral equivalence between the victims and the victimizers,” Weisleder said.
He added that the party’s stance does not clearly denunciate Israel’s actions in Gaza.
“There is no moral equivalence between, on the one hand, brutal and devastating forms of collective punishment, using the most sophisticated weaponry against an imprisoned people, and on the other hand, the firing of homemade ‘bottle rockets’ incapable of hitting a target,” he said.
“Mulcair proposes lifting the blockade, but only after Gazans halt their justified armed resistance… He urges aid for reconstruction, and bringing injured Gazan children to Canada for treatment. The latter are fine sentiments, but grossly inadequate,” said Weisleder, further criticizing Mulcair’s recent statement.
Weisleder hopes the demonstration shows people in Gaza that there are others echoing their demands and standing in solidarity with them. “We want to make it known to Palestinians, and in particular the people of Gaza, that they have friends, there are people in solidarity with them, supporting their right to resist occupation and the siege.”
Craig Scott is not the only MP whose office has been occupied. On Tuesday, activists also occupied Conservative MP Gerald Keddy’s and NDP MP Nycole Turmel’s offices demanding a meeting with their elected representatives. Grassroots action has taken place across Canada on the issue. You can read more about it here.
Miriam Katawazi is a fourth-year journalism and human rights student at Carleton University and rabble’s news intern. She has a strong passion for human rights and social justice in Canada and across the world. Her writing focuses on health, labour, education and human rights beats.
Photo: Barry Weisleder
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