Candidates urged to advocate for a truce in the Middle East conflicts
A Grassroots Movement Speaks Up: The Vote Palestine Campaign
In the heat of the 2025 Canadian federal election, the "Vote Palestine" campaign is capturing attention as a crucial grassroots movement advocating for Palestinian rights. Here's what you need to know about this critical campaign and its ongoing efforts to make a difference.
The Vote Palestine campaign is a coalition of approximately 250 local groups across Canada, putting the Palestinian issue squarely on the political agenda. The organization has a list of candidates from varying parties, categorized based on whether they've endorsed the campaign's five key demands. These demands include:
- Two-way arms embargo between Canada and Israel
- Ending Canadian complicity in Israeli settlements, including halting trade with such settlements
- Combating anti-Palestinian racism with a national action plan
- Recognizing the State of Palestine in compliance with international law
- Increasing funding for Gaza relief, including resettling displaced Palestinians in Canada
Haifa Al-Aryan, a Palestinian residing in Gatineau, commends the campaign as the Palestinian issue often fades after elections. She emphasized, "It's fantastic that Palestine is on the ballot, and we're making it clear. This is an issue that won't go away, and it matters to voters. So, if they sign on, it means they hear us, they see us, but we need to know if they're signing off just to shut us up."
The campaign has gained support from several candidates in Ottawa ridings, including Ryder Finlay (NDP), Joel Harden (NDP), Hena Masjedee (NDP), Tristan Oliff (NDP), Beth Prokasa (NDP), Christian Proulx (Green), Jennifer Purdy (Green), Thaila Riden (Green), Amanda Rosenstock (Green), Melissa Simon (NDP), Jenna Sudds (Liberal), and Mark Watson (Green). Nationwide, nearly 200 candidates have endorsed the platform.
Amid escalating violence in Gaza, candi dates must take a stand on the issue and show their support. Al-Aryan urges, "When you speak to MPs, you need to speak in their language. They have so many meetings with so many people about so many different things that you need to give them point-by-point what we need and how to get it."
The ceasefire agreements around Gaza have not held since the attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which claimed over 1,200 Israeli lives and led to the capture of around 250 people, with many still held hostage by Hamas. Israel's military response has reportedly killed at least 50,695 Palestinians as per Gaza's Ministry of Health.
Joel Harden notes that there have been near-weekly protests calling for a permanent ceasefire. He stressed, "As a political campaign, it's important we respond to that." Jenna Sudds, one of several Liberal candidates nationwide who has endorsed the platform, did so because she feels it's necessary to advance peace. Jennifer Purdy, the Green candidate in Kanata, advocates for the platform in the interest of civilians affected by the violence and those who are being made to fund it.
On March 18, a non-binding motion was passed in the House of Commons, calling for a ceasefire, an end to further arms exports to Israel, and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza, among other items. Jewish organizations have also launched their respective election campaigns, such as "More Than Just a Vote," which prioritizes the protection of Jewish physical safety, accountability for hate incidents, the preservation of Canadian society, and the strengthening of ties with Israel. Stay informed as the Vote Palestine campaign continues to shape the political landscape in Canada.
- The Vote Palestine campaign, a grassroots movement advocating for Palestinian rights, is capturing attention during the 2025 Canadian federal election.
- The campaign, composed of approximately 250 local groups across Canada, is putting the Palestinian issue on the political agenda with its five key demands.
- These demands include a two-way arms embargo between Canada and Israel, ending Canadian complicity in Israeli settlements, combating anti-Palestinian racism, recognizing the State of Palestine, and increasing funding for Gaza relief.
- Indifferent to the ongoing conflicts in war-and-conflicts zones like Palestine, Haifa Al-Aryan, a Palestinian residing in Gatineau, commends the campaign for keeping the issue on the forefront.
- The campaign has welcomed endorsements from several candidates in Ottawa ridings, including those from the NDP, Green, and Liberal parties.
- Amid escalating violence in Gaza, candidates must take a stand on the issue and show their support, as stressed by Al-Aryan.
- The increasing support for the Vote Palestine campaign is shaping the political landscape in Canada, with nearly 200 candidates nationwide endorsing the platform.
- Aside from the Vote Palestine campaign, Jewish organizations like "More Than Just a Vote" have launched election campaigns, prioritizing protection of Jewish physical safety and strengthening ties with Israel, amidst the ongoing conflicts in their general-news feeds on TV.
