Housefather still ‘thinking’ on Liberal future as eyes turn to Israel arms exports

Liberal MPs say that they hope their Montreal colleague Anthony Housefather stays in caucus after he said he was “reflecting” on his future with the party following a debate and vote on a non-binding NDP motion over recognizing Palestinian statehood.

That comes as Canada’s foreign minister faces questions over the country’s arms exports to Israel.

“I am going to be thinking for a while,” Housefather said in a text message to Global News on his future with the party.

He added he will have nothing more to say this week.

Housefather was not seen entering the Liberal caucus meeting on Wednesday morning, but several of his colleagues stopped to talk about the situation.

“Anthony and I are friends. And I understand where he’s coming from. It is extremely emotional for him. It’s extremely emotional for his constituents,” Immigration Minister Marc Miller told reporters prior to the Liberal caucus meeting Wednesday.

The NDP motion ultimately passed on Monday evening after a lengthy debate. Instead of calling on the government to recognize a Palestinian state, the adopted motion calls for progress toward a two-state solution.

Housefather was among three Liberals who voted against the motion, including former public safety minister Marco Mendicino and Winnipeg MP Ben Carr.

“Anthony is a good friend of mine. He’s a great colleague, an exceptionally important voice in our caucus and an exceptionally important voice in Parliament,” Carr said Wednesday.

“But I’ll let him speak for how he’s feeling, but so far as I’m concerned, I feel comfortable within the Liberal caucus.”

Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge said the Liberal caucus is a reflection of Canadian communities, which includes Jewish and Muslim members. She adds that they are no stranger