MPP Jama moves forward representing Hamilton-Centre as an independent, vowed to sue Premier Ford for libel, fight censure in the legislature
On Tuesday Nov. 14, Hamilton Centre MPP Sarah Jama opened her independent office, resuming in person hours and case work for the first time since her recent removal from the New Democratic Party caucus.
During her speech at the opening of the office, Jama outlined her goals moving forward as an independent and her plans to address her current censure in the provincial legislature.
Jama’s removal from the NDP party on Oct. 23 came two weeks after she released a statement on Oct. 10 calling for a ceasefire by Israel in Gaza. She also called for Canada to call for a ceasefire, for Israel to stop restricting water, food and humanitarian aid from entering Gaza and for an “end to all occupation of Palestinian land.”
Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles stated that Jama’s removal was due to some of the actions she undertook following her statements on the Israel-Hamas conflict having “contributed to an unsafe work environment for staff.”
On the same day as her removal from the NDP, the Ontario legislature passed the Ford government's motion to censure Jama. As a result, Jama cannot be recognized by the Speaker to partake in discussion in the parliament. At her speech at the opening of her independent office, she stated that the Ford government would cease her censure if she removed her initial statements and apologize and that she would not concede to these demands.
While speaking, Jama also revealed that she did not learn of her removal from the NDP from party leader Stiles directly, but through a general email that was sent out to all party members informing them of her removal.
I found out at the same time everyone else did, as I was rolling into my seat.
Sarah Jama, MPP, Hamilton Centre
Jama addressed questions regarding her ability to represent her Hamilton Centre constituents as a result of being barred from speaking in parliament, in which she made clear that she is currently pursuing legal action against her censure.
“I have no intention of sitting there censured. I'll be doing everything I can to prove that it was an illegal censure,” said Jama.
I have no intention of sitting there censured. I'll be doing everything I can to prove that it was an illegal censure.
Sarah Jama, MPP, Hamilton Centre
Furthermore, Jama affirmed that she would be pursuing legal action against Premier Ford for libel, in response to his accusations of antisemitism against her.
Jama emphasized that moving forward from her party removal and censure, she is focusing on representing the people of Hamilton Centre and working for the issues which she has always been committed to. Jama stated that she is presently concerned with addressing the rising cost of living, accessibility for disabled individuals especially in the midst of the recent transit strike and childhood poverty in Hamilton.
My priority is to focus on Hamilton Centre and the people here who need support.
Sarah Jama, MPP, Hamilton Centre
Jama stated her independent office is now open to the public from 9am to 4pm every day other than Wednesday for her constituents to come in and voice their concerns.
After extended consultation, the McMaster Student Union has worked alongside the Student Representative Assembly to address concerns and represent students affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict
In the council room in Gilmore Hall on Nov. 12, McMaster’s Student Representative Assembly met for meeting 23J. Representatives met to discuss a motion put forward in support of students at McMaster University affected by the violence in the Middle East, as well as routine reports from the various faculty caucuses.
The statement, co-written by MSU president Jovan Popovic and vice-president Adam F. El-Kadi looks to address the ongoing Israel/Hamas conflict. In a memo to SRA members ahead of the meeting, El-Kadi wrote that he and the president had taken the time to meet with multiple student groups and individuals who have reached out to create a statement that accurately represented students.
“[This motion] was the result of multiple rounds of consultation with student groups from various backgrounds and outlooks. We have actively sought input from our diverse student body, in advance of offering a resolution to define the sentiment of student government at McMaster University,” said El-Kadi.
[This motion] was the result of multiple rounds of consultation with student groups from various backgrounds and outlooks. We have actively sought input from our diverse student body, in advance of offering a resolution to define the sentiment of student government at McMaster University.
Adam F. El-Kadi, Vice-President (Administration), McMaster Students Union
The statement's draft was read before the SRA and noted a rise in both anti-Palestinian and anti-Israeli racism at McMaster, in Hamilton, and internationally. The statement also claimed that commentary on social media has resulted in a number of reported threats towards Palestinian and Israeli students at McMaster.
The statement further made reference to the casualties of the conflict and echoed comments made by the United Nations condemning the actions of both the Israeli and Hamas government, ultimately calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
During the meeting, Popovic and El-Kadi resolved to promote peaceful events at McMaster via the MSU Clubs Department and requested that the university accommodate students affected by the conflict by way of leniencies towards deadlines and course work.
Popovic and El-Kadi also joined nations around the world condemning the violence perpetrated by both belligerents in the conflict and called for a ceasefire in Gaza to allow for humanitarian aid.
Popovic and El-Kadi pledged to make a financial contribution of $15,000 split evenly between the Palestinian Children's’ Relief Fund, Hamilton’s Anti-Racism Resource Centre, Hamilton Jewish Family Services and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement on behalf of the students union.
In his address to the SRA after the motion was presented, Popovic discussed the time that had been put into crafting the statement, consulting with many student organizations on campus and taking their priorities into consideration.
“Everyone was taken into account and everyone has points in this motion that can be attributed directly to their advocacy and contributions.” said Popovic.
Everyone was taken into account and everyone has points in this motion that can be attributed directly to their advocacy and contributions.
Jovan Popovic, President, McMaster Students Union
Representatives at the meeting were then given time to draft and put forward amendments to the statement, including changes to language and facts being presented with updated sources.
The amended statement was put to vote and passed at 9:04pm, with 21 voting in favor and 5 abstaining. The statement was released in an Instagram post by the MSU on Wednesday and the full statement was posted to the MSU website.
Other topics discussed at the meeting included the change in management of McMaster's TwelvEighty, the Grind and the Union Market. All three will now return to self-operation under the MSU which promises better food, better prices and better portions. Popovic addressed actions being taken with regards to Generative AI use by students, saying that the new regulations are restrictive and some of the tools the university is set to use to detect AI use may harm students unfairly flagged by unreliable detection software.
By Rachel Charney
Last week’s issue of the Silhouette featured an article entitled “Call for Peace” that provided a one-sided account of the current conflict in the Middle East under the guise of ‘news’. This conflict is extraordinarily complicated, but this is no excuse for completely ignoring that there are two sides to every story. News articles should strive to present current events in a balanced, objective way. For example, if a count of the Palestinians that were wounded is provided, a count of the Israelis that were wounded should be provided as well. The article “A Call for Peace” made no attempt to tell a balanced story – it was anti-Israel propaganda, and Silhouette readers should demand a higher standard of news.
Since the article did not offer any context or explanation of the recent conflict, it is where I will begin. Israel disengaged from the Gaza Strip in 2005. In 2007 Hamas - a terrorist organization - took control of the government. Hamas does not recognize Israel’s right to exist and has fired over 8,000 rockets into Israel since 2005. It’s hard to imagine that any state would tolerate constant rocket fire and not respond with equal or greater force than Israel has in order to keep its citizens safe.
Israel’s Operation Pillar of Defense began on Nov. 14 with the aim of putting an end to the rocket fire that has forced those living in southern Israel to retreat to bomb shelters time and again. “A Call for Peace” mentioned that Israel has Gaza under a siege – rather, Gaza is under a weapons embargo intended to weaken Hamas and prevent Hamas from acquiring more of the lethal rockets that they use to terrorize Israeli civilians. Israel continues to supply necessary goods to Gaza including electricity, food and water, as Israel does not aim to punish a civilian population, but rather prevent a dangerous organization from arming itself.
As mentioned in last week’s article, over 100 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict. This number includes both militant and civilian deaths. Civilian deaths occur because Hamas has violated international law by hiding their rocket launching equipment behind civilian infrastructure. As a result, to protect its own people, the Israeli army is forced to attack civilian areas to destroy Hamas’s launching equipment. Hamas’s use of civilian shields is a despicable war crime.
The Israel Defense Force does everything it can to prevent civilian casualties – it drops leaflets, makes phone calls and sends text messages alerting citizens to evacuate areas that it will be targeting. It is true that Israel has been responsible for civilian casualties, but these casualties are never deliberate, and it is Hamas that makes the Palestinian civilians into targets in the first place. Israel has gone above and beyond its humanitarian responsibility in offering medical aid to injured Gazans. This is in stark contrast to Hamas, a terrorist group that fires indiscriminately at Israeli civilians, and has made their aim of killing innocent Israeli civilians very clear; when Hamas kills Israeli civilians it is intentional and a cause for celebration. During November 2012 four Israeli civilians were killed and 219 Israeli civilians were wounded by rocket fire, and the bomb that blew up a Tel Aviv bus on Nov. 21 wounded 27 more Israeli civilians.
In a recent video, Hamas stated that they love death more than the Israelis love life. For Hamas, it is not about building a better home for the Palestinian people – it is about destroying the State of Israel. The Palestinians deserve a government that will work towards their safety and security, and Hamas is not interested in working towards either of these goals.
Prime Minister Harper and President Obama announced earlier this month that they stand with Israel and recognize Israel’s right to defend itself. The United States was instrumental in orchestrating the ceasefire that was called on Nov. 21, and although twelve more rockets were fired following the ceasefire, it looks like the worst has passed. Hopefully, the Israeli government will be able to find a partner for peace, and in our lifetime peace in the Middle East can be a reality.
