Sarah Jama opens new office amid controversy, stands firm on Palestine advocacy

On Tuesday, Ontario MPP Sarah Jama opened a new office in downtown Hamilton, in the midst of death threats and controversy surrounding her comments about the Israel-Gaza war.

After her own NDP party removed her and Premier Doug Ford censured her, she says she remains committed to serving her constituents as an independent.

She says she wants to focus on local needs but remains committed to fighting for Palestine.

Jama made her views very clear at the opening of her new office in downtown Hamilton.

Jama has been under pressure since her post on X, voicing support for the people of Gaza, days after Hamas attacked Israel. It offended many because it made no mention of Israelis who were killed.

After refusing to apologize, she was eventually kicked out of the NDP and censured by the legislature.

“To the Jewish community I say this, which again I posted online, I am sorry for the harm that I caused, or the harm that was perceived in my statement, however, calling for a ceasefire, that’s not something I am willing to take back or retract, calling Israel an apartheid state, is what it is,” said Jama.

More than 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

Since then, Gaza’s health ministry has reported that over 10,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory air strikes.

Jama told supporters she will continue to stand up for Palestine, even though there are continued death threats to her and her staff.

Some of the statements Jama has made since continue to be controversial. To many, one slogan in particular, is considered anti-Semitic.

“People saying from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, it’s not anti-Semitic. If it makes some Jewish people uncomfortable, they need to look at why are they uncomfortable,” said Rabbi David Mivasair.

“We need to be very clear that we are not vilifying an entire community for the use of the phrase that has been translated to English, that’s a call for liberation, peace, and freedom from an apartheid state. That’s what that is,” said Jama.

Jama says her lawyers will file a judicial review request on Wednesday to review the Oct. 23 decision of the provincial government to censure her. Although she can still vote, she is prevented from speaking in the house.

Jama also says Premier Doug Ford defamed her when he said on social media on Oct. 11, that she has a “well-documented history of anti-Semitism”.

READ MORE: Gaza hospital struggles amid Israel-Hamas war

“If he wants to have a conversation we will have a conversation, but he did say that I supported the rape and murder of innocent Israelis based on my statement which is not true. I called for a ceasefire,” said Jama.

As for rejoining her former party, she says she is open to a conversation.

The NDP issued a statement to CHCH News saying “The Ontario NDP and MPP Jama share a lot of values. While at this time there is no discussion of a return, new democrats will continue working with MPP Jama and any MPP in the legislature that share the caucus’ values to deliver results for Ontarians.”

While her legal challenges proceed, Jama says she remains committed to her Hamilton centre constituents.

“I’m welcoming people to come back into our space now that we are open and ready to serve people,’ said Jama.