Ontario NDP MPP Sarah Jama (Hamilton Centre) said she has heard many opinions about her tweet about Israel. .“I hear them — and above all, I understand the pain that many Jewish and Israeli Canadians, including my own constituents, must be feeling,” tweeted Jama on Wednesday. .“I apologize.”.Jama said on Tuesday Israel’s treatment of Palestine amounts to apartheid. .READ MORE: UPDATED: Ontario NDP MPP says Israel committing apartheid against Palestinians.“We are seeing this definition of apartheid in real time through the continued violation of human rights in Gaza through the use of white phosphorus chemicals; the withholding of access to food, fuel, electricity and water; and the destruction of the only exit from Gaza that isn’t controlled by the State of Israel — the Rafah border,” she said. .Especially with this context in mind, she said the news coming out of Israel and Palestine is problematic. For 75 years, she said violence and retaliation rooted in settler colonialism “have taken the lives of far too many innocent people.” .To be clear, Jama condemned terrorism by Hamas on thousands of Israelis. She added Israel’s attacks on Gaza are wrong. .“As a member of the Ontario NDP caucus, I stand by the position of our federal party and believe that violence against civilians is never justified and that there is no military solution to this conflict,” she said. .Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles said she was thinking of everyone affected by the atrocities in Israel and Gaza, including Ontarians with loved ones in the area. .“MPP Jama’s statement yesterday did not unequivocally decry the violence against Israelis by Hamas and it caused harm to Jewish people who are feeling pain and fear right now,” said Stiles. .“It did not reflect our party’s positions on the war and was sent without approval.” .In working with Jama over the last day, Stiles said she understands “the personal impact that this is having on her as someone with Palestinian family members.” She is not alone in this experience. .Ontario Premier Doug Ford accused Jama of having a long, well-documented history of antisemitism. .“Marit Stiles and the Ontario NDP have proven time and time again that they tolerate these hateful views and actions by keeping Ms. Jama in their caucus,” said Ford. .“As premier, I’m doing what Ms. Stiles won’t and calling on Sarah Jama to resign immediately as a member of the Provincial Parliament.” .Ford said her views “do not represent Ontario.” They have no place in the Ontario Legislature and Ontario.
