MPP Sarah Jama to challenge censure motion, reaffirms support for Palestine

MPP Sarah Jama is vowing to take on a new battle with the Ontario legislature following an appearance at a rally in support of Palestine in Hamilton over the weekend.

Jama led chants of “ceasefire now” in one of her first public appearances since being removed from the provincial NDP caucus over her pro-Palestinian remarks and being censured by the Ontario legislature.

Those provincial measures didn’t change the views she expressed.

“In the last few weeks alone these crimes against humanity have been on full display for the entire world to see,” said Jama. “All of us here today know that the state of Israel’s goal is to eliminate the Palestinian people and to push them into the Sinai”

WATCH MORE: ‘Ceasefire now’: hundreds gather at Hamilton City Hall in support of Palestine

“We demand that Justin Trudeau use his power to push for a ceasefire and end Canada’s complicity in Israel’s crime against humanity.”

The national Jewish organization B’nai B’rith says politicians like Jama should be trying to calm things down instead of creating fear among Jewish people.

“It is incumbent on all political leaders to want to tap down radicals or extremists that are within those mobs to say ‘this is not what we stand for in Canada.” said Michael Moyston of B’nai B’rith.

With emotions running high around the world over the war between Israel and Hamas, students held a pro-Palestinian rally outside Saltfleet High School Monday calling on Canada to help restore peace.

While students were not initially familiar with Sarah Jama, they rallied behind her support of the Palestinian people.

READ MORE: MPP Sarah Jama reopens Hamilton Centre office as Independent member

“”If she’s supporting Palestine then I support her.” said one student.

“She shouldn’t be kicked out for having an opinion,” said another.

In the meantime, Jama shared in a post to social media that she has “plans to challenge the censure motion” against her in the legislature, although it’s not clear how she could do that.

“There’s no official mechanism and I think Premier Ford and the PCs could keep her out of the legislature as long as they want.” said political analyst Keith Les

“She obviously feels very very strongly about this, it’s at the core of her convictions and so she’s not going to back down.”