Green Party of Quebec leader Alex Tyrrell has once again taken a firm stance on the crisis in Palestine, calling for “massive economic sanctions against the state of Israel and its economy” in response to what he describes as a clear and ongoing genocide. His latest statement directly challenges federal Green Party leaders Elizabeth May and MP Mike Morrice, urging them to take a stronger stance after days of renewed Israeli attacks that have killed hundreds of Palestinians in violation of the ceasefire.
Tyrrell: Why Won’t May and Morrice Demand Sanctions?
Tyrrell’s statement, posted on social media, is a direct rebuke of the federal Green Party’s cautious approach to the crisis. While the party recently issued a statement acknowledging that Israel’s actions constitute genocide, Elizabeth May has not used the term in Parliament or been quoted as saying it.
« When it comes to sanctions neither May or Morrice has spoken loud enough. It’s not just about sanctioning certain settlers or Netanyahu but rather applying economic pressure to the state of Israel to force an end to this genocide regardless of who the government of the day is. Putting all the blame on a few settlers and politicians is a way of whitewashing the issue. » Tyrrell added « Why continue doing business with a genocidal regime? Calling for sanctions should not be difficult. Why the hesitation?”
Tyrrell’s comments reflect growing frustration among grassroots activists and pro-Palestinian advocates who believe that strong words must be used and that these words must be accompanied by economic pressure. If the Green Party of Canada is willing to acknowledge genocide, why are its MPs not pushing for the sanctions necessary to hold Israel accountable?
Canadian Senators Call for Sanctions
Just as Tyrrell was renewing his call for the federal Greens to speak up for sanctions four well respected senators did just that. In an open letter, senators condemned the Canadian Government’s response to Israeli violence as being too weak and called for sanctions to be imposed on the state of Israel.
The Green Party’s Unclear Position on Sanctions
So far, the Green Party of Canada has supported limited measures, such as an arms embargo, but has not explicitly called for full-scale economic sanctions on Israel. Even Mike Morrice, the more outspoken of the two MPs, has only called for sanctions on individual extremist settlers rather than the Israeli state itself.
Meanwhile, May’s record remains even weaker. Despite co-signing statements condemning Israeli actions, she has yet to personally call it a genocide in her public speeches or in the House of Commons.
in 2016 Green Party members passed a policy resolution calling for sanctions on Israel. Elizabeth May had opposed the resolution and threatened to resign if it was not overturned. The party held a national convention on May’s request to overturn the resolution but was unsuccessful and the call for sanctions remained in the final text dispite her objections. Since then the party has simply ignored its member voted policy on sanctions. Many were hoping that the recent spike in Israeli colonial violence and ethnic cleanzing would encourage May to recognize that it is a genocide and to call for sanctions as a consequence. So far she has not.
Tyrrell’s statement raises some questions:
- What is holding May and Morrice back from demanding full economic sanctions?
- Why won’t May personally say “genocide,” despite her party using the term?
- Is the Green Party leadership afraid of political backlash or pressure from pro-Israel lobbying groups?
- Are they worried that calling for sanctions will lead Zionist donors to withhold their funds?
This isn’t the first time May has taken a cautious or middle-ground approach to foreign policy. She has previously come under fire for her support for increased military aid to Ukraine, and her hesitance to challenge NATO’s role in global conflicts.
“Ms May was very quick to call for sanctions on Russia but refuses to do the same for Israel. Why the double standard?”
Tyrrell’s latest comments highlight the widening gap between grassroots activists and the federal Green Party leadership. With the Green Party of Quebec taking a clear, uncompromising stance, the pressure is now on May and Morrice to clarify their position.
Will May and Morrice Finally Take a Stand?
If Elizabeth May and Mike Morrice truly believe that Israel is committing genocide, as their party has stated, then they must go beyond words and demand full economic sanctions on Israel—just as Canada has done with other countries accused of war crimes.
Tyrrell’s challenge is clear: “It’s time for clarity.” Will the federal Green Party leadership finally listen? Or will they continue their pattern of vague statements and half-measures while Palestinians continue to suffer?
