Last-minute parliamentary negotiations in Ottawa on March 18 postponed a vote by Canadian lawmakers on a non-binding motion supporting Palestinian statehood, exacerbating divisions within the ruling Liberal Party.
The left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP), a minority party assisting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals in maintaining government control, crafted the original proposal.
They express dissatisfaction with what they perceive as Trudeau’s inadequate efforts to safeguard Gaza’s civilian population.
The initial draft urged Canada to “officially recognize the State of Palestine,” a move unprecedented among the Group of Seven industrialized nations.
Following behind-the-scenes discussions between the NDP and the Liberals, they abandoned the original wording.
Instead, the NDP and the Liberals revised the language to advocate for international efforts towards establishing a Palestinian state within the framework of a two-state solution.
However, members from both the Liberal Party and the opposition in the House of Commons voiced grievances over the lack of advance notice regarding the revised wording.
They insisted on discussing the matter further. As a result, parliamentary proceedings halted, with uncertainty surrounding when they would resume.
Canada recently announced a halt in non-lethal military exports to Israel since January.
Prime Minister Trudeau, while affirming Israel’s right to self-defense, has adopted a more critical stance regarding the military operations in Gaza.
The original motion had called for a halt to all military trade with Israel and urged an immediate ceasefire, cessation of illegal arms transfers to Hamas, and the release of all hostages taken during the October 7 attacks on Israel.
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Clear indications of division within the Liberal caucus concerning policy on the Gaza conflict were evident, with notable backbench legislators expressing both support and opposition towards the motion.
Israeli Ambassador Iddo Moed had earlier denounced the original proposal for a vote on Palestinian statehood, contending that it would “only escalate violence and jeopardize any prospect of a peaceful resolution to the conflict.”
Reuters