Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles has announced that Hamilton-Centre MPP Sarah Jama has been removed from the party’s caucus.
In a statement made Monday, Stiles said that Jama has been removed from caucus having “undertaken a number of unilateral actions that have undermined our collective work and broken the trust of her colleagues.”
Stiles had originally defended Jama after the legislator issued an apology for her initial statement, but now says in a statement that she and Jama had agreed that in order for her to stay in caucus they would work together “in good faith with no surprises” but now some of her actions “have contributed to unsafe work environments for staff.”
This comes as the debate on a Progressive Conservative motion to effectively silence the MPP resumed in the Ontario legislature on Monday.
Premier Doug Ford’s government is asking for the NDP MPP to apologize again and retract her statement about the Israel – Hamas war.
The Conservatives, who hold a large majority, are calling forward their motion for the Speaker to not recognize Jama in the House until she does so.
WATCH MORE: Sarah Jama threatens to sue Doug Ford over Israel-Hamas statements
Jama came under fire for a post made earlier this month in which she spoke of the history of conflict and colonization that has led to the war between Israel and Hamas and quoted Michael Lynk, UN Special Rappaorteur for the situation of human rights in the Palestine territory, calling the situation apartheid.
She has since issued an apology where Jama clarified her statements, saying she “unequivocally” condemns the terrorism led by Hamas and that “Israel’s bombardment and siege on civilians in Gaza, as was also noted by the United Nations, is wrong.”
Jama has since sent a cease-and-desist letter to Ford demanding he retract and apologize for his own statement on her comments in which he said she has a “well-documented history of antisemitism” and supports the “rape and murder of innocent Jewish people.”
The premier – who has not commented publicly on Jama’s letter – provided no specific details supporting the allegations he made against Jama.
Jama’s office said on Friday that it had received “a number of concerning calls and emails” that led it to have staff in Jama’s Hamilton Centre office work remotely and only accept in-person meetings by appointment.
WATCH MORE: Ford government tables motion to censure Sarah Jama for statement on Israel-Hamas
