Over 120 members of the Ontario Jewish community signed a letter in support of disability-rights activist Sarah Jama and her campaign to represent Hamilton Centre in the provincial legislature for the Ontario NDP (ONDP) in the March 16 byelection.
Jama is running to replace former ONDP leader Andrea Horwath who stepped down after the June 2022 provincial election.
B’nai Brith Canada, an organization that fights antisemitism condemned Jama and called for the ONDP to withdraw her candidacy.
“She is a supporter of the antisemitic boycott, divestment, sanctions (BDS) movement.” reads the one-line critique of Jama on the B’nai Brith website.
The Toronto Star expanded on B’nai Brith’s attack on Jama stating that she had “ties” with the Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights group while a student at McMaster University.
The Star explained that the Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights group advocates for a Palestinian state “from the (Jordan) river to the sea,” which they say would imply the destruction of the state of Israel. However, the group’s Facebook page as well as their page on the McMaster University website describes the group’s purpose as being aimed at raising awareness “around the Israeli occupation of Palestine as well as promote Palestinian culture and identity.”
Members of Jewish community rally to support Jama
In the wake of these attacks on Jama, Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) Canada published a letter on their website signed by 123 prominent members of Ontario’s Jewish community expressing their support of Jama. IJV themselves do not endorse candidates as a matter of policy.
“Sarah has been a powerful advocate for justice for all people for over a decade with a proven track record of building the capacity of communities to come together and advocate. She has worked tirelessly to change the conditions of injustice in the Hamilton area,” the letter reads.
The letter goes on to celebrate Jama’s community work and advocacy.
“Sarah’s very substantial track record in our communities demonstrates her deep understanding of the interconnectedness and intersectionality of all oppressions. She has the experience and expertise required to serve as an effective MPP and will bring all of her experiences to representing all of the people of Hamilton Centre in the Ontario Provincial Legislature,” the letter continues.
“We wholeheartedly and without reservation support Sarah Jama as the next MPP for Hamilton Centre. We desperately need an MPP like Sarah, who is connected to communities and connects communities. She has our vote, our confidence, and our trust,” the letter concludes.
Jama also received endorsements from prominent members of the federal NDP including leader Jagmeet Singh and NDP MP and ethics critic Charlie Angus.
Sending my best wishes to @SarahJama_, the @OntarioNDP by-election candidate in Hamilton Centre.
From protecting universal public health care to tackling the cost-of-living crisis, Sarah will be a champion for you and your family. pic.twitter.com/H4VFlGv9lj
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) March 13, 2023
A track record of advocating for justice
Entirely omitted from The Star’s report on Jama was her long track record of community organizing and work in the non-profit space.
Jama, a disabled woman of colour, has long been involved in advocacy and fighting for social equity in Hamilton.
She co-founded the Disability Justice Network of Ontario (DJNO) in 2018. The DJNO is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting disabled organizers with other justice movements to help effect systemic change in the areas of poverty, housing, health and beyond.
LISTEN: Disability justice is the antithesis of capitalism
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jama also helped organize the Care Mongering Hamilton Project which helped feed 10,000 DJNO families. That project also saw Jama work to ensure vaccine equity, which led to the creation of clinics prioritizing vaccinations for Black community members in Hamilton.
In 2021 Jama also co-founded the Hamilton Encampment Support Network, an organization that works to advocate for the rights of the un-housed in the city.
The vote for the Hamilton Centre provincial byelection will take place on Thursday, March 16.
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