Share
Email
PrintIsrael comment spurs calls for lawmaker’s resignation
TORONTO (JTA) -- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has joined a growing list of politicians calling for the resignation of a senior member of Parliament who questioned Israel's right to exist.
Harper said Libby Davies, deputy leader and house leader of the opposition New Democratic Party, should step aside following her comments at an anti-Israel rally earlier this month in Vancouver.
Asked in a video interview whether the "occupation of Israel" began in 1948 or 1967, Davies replied, " '48 ... It's the longest occupation in the world."
In the House of Commons, Harper called Davies' remark "a fundamental denial of Israel's right to exist. It repeats the kinds of comments that were made by [veteran White House journalist] Helen Thomas on which she was forced to resign, and the member of the NDP who said that should be forced to resign as well."
Liberal Party foreign affairs critic Bob Rae also called on Davies to resign her leadership roles, calling her comment "an appalling statement for a member of Parliament to make."
On her website, a contrite Davies wrote that her comment "was a serious and completely inadvertent error; I apologize for this and regret any confusion it has caused.
"I have always supported a two-state solution to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and have never questioned Israel's right to exist and the Palestinian's right to a viable state. I reject the allegation that I hate Israel, and I reject the assertion that I said that Israel is illegitimate or an abomination. Neither are true."
NDP leader Jack Layton said Davies' views are "not party policy," and he showed no sign of stripping Davies from leadership positions -- a move that B'nai Brith of Canada had sought.
Don't miss out! Get the JTA Daily Briefing delivered FREE to your inbox!
Click to login and write a letter to the editor.
This article was made possible by the support of readers like you. Donate to JTA now.
Featured Content
Need to know? Get JTA's free e-newsletters!
- Romney to meet with Jewish donors
- White House sets May 30 for Jewish Heritage
- Bulgaria’s economic crisis has its Jewish community facing harsh realities
- French railroad inks deal with Yad Vashem to research deportations
- Tel Aviv protest against African migrants turns violent
- Palestinian terror cells uncovered
- Haredi politician’s failure to shake hands riles female Belgian minister
- One-minute video calls for moment of silence at Olympics
