The recent actions of Liberal MP Ya'ara Saks have kicked off a storm of controversy within the Canadian Jewish community. Her trip to Israel, ostenisbly for bilateral meetings with the Israeli government, took a shocking turn when she engaged in a photo-op with Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority

This act is anything but benign in the context of current events and the raw emotions following the October 7th attacks in Israel by Hamas. Abbas has engaged in denialism of both the Holocaust and the October 7th attacks and for a community in mourning and on edge, Saks' actions are not just disappointing; they are seen as a betrayal.

The core of the outrage stems from her recklessness. By standing alongside Abbas, Saks has sent a message to her constituents and the broader Canadian Jewish community that the desires of Justin Trudeau to be liked by tyrants and fools outweighs the clear and present danger posed by groups like Hamas. This is not a matter of nuanced diplomacy; it's a clear misstep in recognizing the fundamental differences between a democratic ally under siege and leaders who have been linked to or have failed to condemn terrorist organizations.

The timing of Saks' meetings and the photo-op could not have been more ill-advised. The Canadian Jewish community is still grappling with the aftermath of the attacks in Israel, looking to their leaders for unequivocal support and solidarity.

Instead, what they see is a gesture that muddies the waters, equating victims with aggressors through diplomatic optics. This is not the time for ambiguity or gestures that can be interpreted as giving legitimacy to those who, directly or indirectly, support terrorism.

The stakes are high, particularly in York Centre, where Saks is locked in a tight re-election race against Conservative MP Roman Baber. This riding, with its significant Jewish population, is a bellwether for the sentiments of the broader community.

The message from this community to Prime Minister Trudeau and MP Saks is unambiguous: moral clarity is non-negotiable, and attempts at diplomatic balancing acts that appear to equate Canada's ally Israel with apologists for terrorism are unacceptible.

Moreover, we are calling for Liberal MPs who truly stand with the Jewish community—and with the principles of democracy and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism—to abandon Trudeau's Party. The fact the community and its allies are doing so is a testament to the depth of our disillusionment. This is a call for integrity and principle over party loyalty. It is a demand for representatives who understand the gravity of these issues and are willing to take a stand, even when it means crossing party lines.

Saks has made her choice, and in doing so, has alienated a constituency that deserves her support, not abandonment. This is not about diplomacy; it's about principle. The Jewish community's response is a warning to political leaders that their actions and associations carry weight, that equivocation on issues of terrorism and antisemitism is intolerable, and that moral clarity is a prerequisite for their support.