Canadian MP quits party over leader’s ‘pro-Israel’ stance

A member of Canada’s largest opposition party has left its ranks over what she said was party leader Thomas Mulcair’s excessively pro-Israel position on the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Sana Hassainia of the New Democratic Party says she can no longer accept Mulcair’s position that “Israel has the right to defend themselves against a people that are completely powerless,” CTV reports. She will remain in parliament as an independent.

Tunisian-born Hassainia says that while she agrees that Hamas is a terror organization, it is the civilians and not militants who are the main victims of Israel’s attacks in Gaza.

Mulcair has voiced strong support for Israel’s right to self defense, while also campaigning for aid to Palestinian children hurt in the conflict.