From Deb Chapman’s fb post:

“I am a Kitchener Councillor and the NDP candidate in the not-yet-called Kitchener Centre by-election. Although it is not foremost a municipal or provincial issue, I feel a responsibility to say publicly where I stand in relation to the current events in Gaza.

I want to clearly state that I denounce Hamas for killing Israeli civilians, including children, in its assault on Israel, and for taking civilian hostages. Violence against civilians is terrorism and is never justified.

I am alarmed and heartbroken by what we are witnessing from Israel’s siege of Gaza. Children, women and the elderly are indiscriminately attacked. I have seen allegations of white phosphorus being used. I fear for the people who cannot flee, including thousands of wounded. We are watching war crimes in real time.

We cannot sit back and allow this to happen, and we must recognize that this is not happening in a vacuum. A decades-long cycle of violence has already taken the lives of too many Palestinians and Israelis.

I join New Democrats across Canada in support of the call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to Israel’s siege and bombardment of Gaza. The cutting off of electricity, water and fuel, the ongoing bombing and the shutting of the border to humanitarian aid must stop. All hostages must be released. All civilian lives must be protected.

I implore the federal government to do everything in its power to ensure the protection of civilians and respect for international law. We must reaffirm our commitment to global solidarity, including for Palestinian people, and building lasting peace.”