After the protest that interrupted proceedings in the Legislature last Monday calling for the province to urge for a cease fire in Gaza, the NDP MLA from Saskatoon University has released a statement. (below)

The province intimated last week that members of the Official Opposition may have played a part in supporting the protest and in organizing it. MLA Jennifer Bowes says last week she liked an Instagram post, which had multiple photos or videos within it, but she didn’t look at all of them. She heard from some members of the Jewish community that a slogan used in the post is considered deeply offensive and anti-Semitic while others believe the slogan calls for the full rights and equality of all people, including Palestinians. She apologizes to anyone who was hurt by the impacts of the post and says her intention was never to cause further division.

Statement from Saskatoon University MLA Jennifer Bowes:

Hate, in all its forms, has no place in this province or in this country. I have and will continue to condemn in the strongest possible way any act of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. Our party has a strong record of opposing all forms of hate and standing up for human rights.

Last week, I liked an Instagram carousel post (a social media post with multiple photos or videos embedded) calling for a ceasefire without looking at all the photos and videos. I have since heard from multiple different people who understandably have strong feelings on this long and painful conflict and on one of the chants featured in that carousel.

I have learned that for some in the Jewish community, they experience this slogan as deeply offensive and anti-Semitic. I have also heard from those who genuinely use the slogan as a call for the full rights and equality of all people, including Palestinians.

I apologize to anyone who was hurt by the impacts of the post. My intention was never to cause further division and, out of respect, I have removed the like. I have and will continue reaching out to members of both Jewish and Muslim communities as I am committed to fostering mutual respect, dialogue, and understanding as we work towards an end to all forms of violence and oppression.