The Green Party of Canada has issued one of the strongest statements from a federal political party regarding Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, explicitly calling it part of a “genocide against Palestinian people.” Yet despite this, neither of the party’s two MPs—Elizabeth May and Mike Morrice—have publicly supported meaningful sanctions against Israel.
This glaring contradiction raises serious questions: If they acknowledge that Israel is committing genocide, why are they unwilling to take real action? Why won’t they call for sanctions to hold Israel accountable?
Why won’t Elizabeth May Call it a Genocide?
The party’s official statements, including one posted to May’s Facebook yesterday strongly condemn Israel’s actions and use the word genocide. The party also signed onto a multi-party letter calling for an arms embargo and recognition of Palestinian statehood. However, May herself has avoided using the word “genocide” publicly or in the House of Commons, and neither she nor Morrice have gone beyond statements to demand sanctions on the state of Israel for their treatment of the Palestinian people.
Even Morrice, who has taken a stronger stance than May, has only called for sanctions on individual settlers— a far cry from the state-level economic sanctions needed to pressure Israel to end its occupation and military campaign.
Why Is the Green Party Leadership Hesitant?
The question of sanctions is not just symbolic—it is the most direct and effective tool available to Canada to push back against Israeli violations of international law. If the Green Party is willing to say Israel is committing genocide, why won’t it take the next logical step?
• Elizabeth May’s Cautious Approach – May has long taken a diplomatic and establishment-friendly stance on foreign policy. While she has criticized Israel’s actions, she has consistently shied away from supporting economic or military sanctions. Is this due to political calculations, fear of alienating centrist voters, or an unwillingness to confront powerful pro-Israel lobbying forces?
• Mike Morrice’s Limited Call for Sanctions – While Morrice has been more outspoken, his call for sanctions on only individual settlers is a half-measure that does not address the broader Israeli state’s violations. A full-scale arms embargo and economic sanctions on Israel would carry far greater weight in shifting Canadian policy, yet neither he nor May have endorsed these measures.
Sanctions Are the Next Step
The United Nations and international legal scholars have pointed out that sanctions are one of the most effective non-military measures available to pressure a state to end human rights violations.
Countries like South Africa have imposed targeted sanctions on Israel, and human rights organizations around the world have called on Canada to follow suit. Even the Canadian government imposed economic sanctions on Russia within days of its invasion of Ukraine—so why the double standard when it comes to Israel?
The Green Party leadership’s refusal to demand sanctions, despite calling Israel’s actions a genocide, suggests that their commitment to Palestinian human rights is rhetorical rather than substantive.
What Is Holding May and Morrice Back?
Are they afraid of political backlash? Do they believe calling for sanctions would alienate potential voters? Or do they simply not believe in taking the necessary steps to enforce the international law they claim to uphold?
This hesitation is particularly striking given that May has strongly supported economic and military aid for Ukraine, and has been vocal in calling for sanctions against Russia. If sanctions were appropriate for Russia’s violations, why are they not appropriate for Israel?
Conclusion: Time for Action, Not Just Words
If Elizabeth May and Mike Morrice truly stand by their party’s declaration that Israel is committing genocide, they need to back it up with meaningful action. The only way to do so is by:
Calling for full state-level economic sanctions on Israel.
If the Green Party refuses to take these steps, their strong statements will remain empty rhetoric. Canadians deserve to know: Why won’t May and Morrice call for sanctions?
