Urge for Federal Politicians to Endorse Middle Eastern Armed Conflict Truce

Ready to dive into the heart of Canada's political landscape? Here's the lowdown on the fiery "Vote Palestine" grassroots movement sweeping across the nation before the upcoming election on April 28, 2025. This movement, backed by around 250 groups, is putting the Palestinian issue front and center, pushing federal candidates to lend their support for the Palestinian people and put an end to the ongoing violence in the region.

The "Vote Palestine" campaign laid down the challenge, listing candidates from various parties based on their endorsement of five key demands. These demands range from an arms embargo on Israel, ending Canadian support for settlements, combatting anti-Palestinian racism, recognizing the state of Palestine, and funding Gaza relief efforts, including those of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

Haifa Al-Aryan, a Palestinian resident of Gatineau, gave her seal of approval to this burning campaign, as she shared concerns about the potential fading of the Palestinian issue post-election. Emphasizing its enduring relevance, Al-Aryan highlighted that it matters to voters and that endorsing the platform means being heard and understood. However, she warned against empty promises and urged vigilance to confirm these endorsements aren't simply to quell the voices demanding change.

Many Palestinian and Arab youth have felt anger and abandonment watching the Canadian government's reaction to the attacks on Gaza. However, Al-Aryan remains hopeful that the "Vote Palestine" platform provides the tools for citizens to engage in meaningful conversations with their candidates about the ongoing violence in Gaza.

In the Ontario region, six candidates have endorsed the "Vote Palestine" platform. Ryder Finlay (NDP) in Prescott-Russell-Cumberland, Joel Harden (NDP) in Ottawa Centre, Hena Masjedee (NDP) in Ottawa South, Tristan Oliff (NDP) from Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester, Beth Prokasa (NDP) in Carleton, Christian Proulx (Green) in Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester, Jennifer Purdy (Green) in Kanata, Thaila Riden (Green) in Prescott-Russell-Cumberland, Amanda Rosenstock (Green) in Ottawa Centre, Melissa Simon (NDP) in Kanata, and Jenna Sudds (Liberal) in Kanata. Across the country, nearly 200 candidates have endorsed the platform.

The aftermath of the attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, saw hope diminish as ceasefire agreements failed to hold. Witnessing more than 1,200 Israeli lives claimed and around 250 people captured by Hamas, Israel's military response led to the tragic loss of over 50,695 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health.

Joel Harden, a candidate in Ottawa Centre, has been addressing the never-ending issues in the Middle East, stating the federal government's perceived indifference. Weekly protests continue to call for a permanent ceasefire, as Harden encourages candidates to listen to community members' demands. Jenna Sudds, one of the handful of Liberal candidates who has endorsed the platform, did so as she feels it is essential to advance peace.

Jennifer Purdy, the Green candidate in Kanata, supports the platform not only for the civilians affected by the violence but also for the Canadians who are unknowingly funding it. Recognizing the importance of this issue to voters in both Kanata and Ottawa, she urges them to vote with a moral and ethical stance.

On March 18, a non-binding motion passed in the House of Commons, calling for a ceasefire, an end to further arms exports to Israel, and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. The motion emphasized the rise of hate-motivated attacks and racism against Jewish, Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian Canadians.

In addition to the "Vote Palestine" movement, Jewish organizations have launched their own election campaign, "More Than Just a Vote." This campaign calls for the protection of Jewish physical safety, accountability for hate, the safeguarding of Canadian society and values, and the strengthening of ties with Israel. The platform was created by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs in partnership with Jewish federations, including the Jewish Federation of Ottawa.

In the "Vote Palestine" campaign, five key demands are emphasized, namely an arms embargo on Israel, ending Canadian support for settlements, combatting anti-Palestinian racism, recognizing the state of Palestine, and funding Gaza relief efforts, including those of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
The "Vote Palestine" platform, backed by around 250 groups, is pushing federal candidates to lend their support for the Palestinian people and put an end to the ongoing violence in the region.
This movement, which has gained widespread attention across Canada, is putting the issue of Palestine front and center before the upcoming election on April 28, 2025.
The "Vote Palestine" campaign has garnered endorsements from numerous candidates across the country, 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), and Jenna Sudds (Liberal).
The ongoing violence in the Middle East, such as the attacks on Gaza in October 2023, has led to the tragic loss of thousands of lives, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health.
Some Canadian candidates, like Joel Harden and Jenna Sudds, have been vocal about addressing the issues in the Middle East, stating the federal government's perceived indifference and encouraging candidates to listen to community members' demands.
In response to the issues at hand, Jewish organizations have also launched their own election campaign, "More Than Just a Vote," which highlights the protection of Jewish physical safety, accountability for hate, the safeguarding of Canadian society and values, and the strengthening of ties with Israel.