Anthony Housefather, the Liberal MP for Mount Royal, faced a wave of criticism after publicly defending the federal government’s decision to send $100 million in aid to Gaza just weeks before the federal election. According to Montreal lawyer Michael Hollander—who attended a candidates’ event last week—Housefather’s remarks were startling in their bluntness.
“We’ll make sure as little of it as possible goes to terrorists,” Hollander quoted Housefather as saying, referencing the aid package championed by Prime Minister Mark Carney. The comment drew gasps from the audience and has since been shared widely on social media.
Housefather’s defense of the aid has alarmed many in Montreal’s Jewish community, who worry that any assistance to Gaza risks empowering Hamas and other extremist groups. “This kind of thinking will lead us to ruin,” said one community activist.
“We cannot entrust our tax dollars to a policy that admits, upfront, it cannot guarantee funds won’t end up in terrorist hands.”
Critics argue that Housefather’s cavalier admission underscores the inherent risks of sending large sums to a region controlled by designated terrorist organizations. “Aid must be conditional and transparent,” said political analyst David Cohen. “Vague assurances are insufficient when lives—and regional stability—are at stake.”
In response to the backlash, Housefather’s office issued a statement clarifying that the government had strict oversight mechanisms in place. “MP Housefather supports humanitarian aid to alleviate civilian suffering and stands by the safeguards implemented to prevent diversion to terrorist entities,” the statement read.
Despite these reassurances, opposition to the Liberal approach is growing. Some community members are calling for a complete reassessment of Canada’s aid policy toward Gaza, arguing that funds should be directed exclusively through vetted international organizations.
With the next election here, Housefather’s comments are likely to become a focal point in debates over Canada’s foreign aid priorities and the Liberal Party’s judgment in handling complex international crises.
Any Jew living in Canada who votes Liberal needs their head examined! The rest of Canadian’s do too as the economic mess we’re in is from Carney advising the PM on economic issues. Giving Carney full powers is like drinking alcohol to sober up!
“Any Jew living in Canada who votes Liberal needs their head examined!”
Wow. Imagine being so deep in the Conservative Kool-Aid that you start calling other Jews mentally ill for disagreeing with you — and then still claiming you’re the voice of reason.
Let’s unpack the irony here:
First off — this is textbook antisemitism.
Even by the IHRA definition, this kind of language crosses the line. Suggesting that Jews who don’t vote the “right” way (i.e., your way) are defective is:
Collective stereotyping, Political coercion, and a form of internalized bigotry, where Jews are only valid if they serve right-wing interests.
You don’t get to erase Jewish political diversity just because you’re mad Mark Carney knows what a central bank is.
Second — Conservative values? Really?
The same Conservatives who:
Met with the AFD, the modern nazi party in Germany, cry about “globalist elites” (code for Jews in half their memes), worship American-style gun culture, Platform Christian nationalists and anti-LGBTQ hate, want to defund public education and public healthcare, ban sex-ed, and strip environmental protections from our parks and forests.
You’re telling me this is the camp Jews should feel safe in?
Right On, A. Cohen!! As my late father used to say: Some of the worst antisemites are Jews. Reelecting this guy would be an abomination!
Shame indeed on Housefather… he should know better…
Send this libtard packing.
I’m ashamed to admit that Housefather is Jewish. I can assure you that he does not represent me in any way. I am a son of Holocaust survivors. My parents didn’t survive that nightmare so that other Jews must undergo a similar genocide. Self hating Jews like him and Ya’ara Saks need to be sidelined, isolated and called out for their ignorant ideologies. Joining with our Liberal party is antisemitic on its face! This is the same party who accused Israel of committing a genocide in Gaza and will arrest PM Netanyahu should he step foot in Canada!
Wow. Housefather really F’d up. “We’ll make sure as little of it as possible goes to terrorists,” is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard a politician say. I am Israeli, and I know first hand how strict both Canada and the US are about disbursing aid to Gaza. Both do everything possible to make sure that none of that aid gets into the hands of designated terrorist organizations. Housefather failed to convey that fact. Otherwise, I have no issue with humanitarian aid being provided to people in need.