Canada’s New Democratic Party Is Finally Backing Palestinian Rights
Canada’s social democratic New Democratic Party has a poor track record on the issue of Palestinian dispossession. As a result of grassroots organizing and a push from the party’s left, leader Jagmeet Singh is finally signaling support for Palestinian rights.
Members and supporters of the Palestinian community marched in Toronto on May 22, 2021. Grassroots pressure has pushed the NDP toward more sympathy for the Palestinian cause. (Nick Lachance / NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP), has undergone a remarkable turnaround on the issue of Palestine. Over the past eighteen months, a shift has been propelled by internal party organizing, outside leftist criticism, growing Palestine solidarity, and cynical party calculations. Singh has gone from refusing to mention “Palestinians” to being labeled “dangerous to Jews” for supporting Palestinian rights.
On August 26 Singh emailed a small number of NDP supporters a list of thirteen demands — for Palestinian rights — intended for the ruling Liberal government. The email concluded by stating: “we believe Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories is at the center of the challenges facing the Palestinian and Israeli people.”
The message marked a major step forward in opposing Canada’s contribution to Palestinian dispossession. But it was not posted to social media or the NDP’s website. It was only sent to some individuals the party (presumably) identified as supporting the Palestinian cause.
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