Just Peace Advocates is concerned about the ongoing anti-Palestinian actions taken by liberal federal member of Parliament for Saint John—Rothesay, Wayne Long.
During the last nine months, MP Long has made unfounded allegations against individuals in what seems to be an attempt to discredit and intimidate Palestinian solidarity activists, while distracting from his own government’s role in supporting the ongoing illegal occupation of Palestine and what the World Court has deemed to be potentially genocide in Gaza.
Despite petitions, statements and other steps taken by civil society to expose MP Long’s behavior, we remain concerned MP Long’s behavior continues to be inappropriate and concerning.
On December 13, 2023, MP Wayne Long and his administrative assistant Jeanette Arsenault were captured on video, as they publicly intimidated, shamed and doxed protestors, accused them of terrorism, and made racist and xenophobic comments. This anti-Palestinian racism and unethical conduct are unbecoming of an elected representative.
Over the months, MP Long has continued to spread misinformation and allegations that undermine justice for Palestinians and that distract from his government’s deep complicity in the illegal occupation of Palestine and the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. This is one example of inciting and inflammatory posts and comments on MP Long’s official account about this incident. We are appalled that MP Long has failed to hear the diverse voices from his own constituency. Rather he continues to demonstrate anti-Palestinian racism, posting of himself on his official Facebook account further disparaging the Palestine Solidarity Committee of Saint John (PSC – SJ) and maligning a Palestinian Gaza-born member of the group.
MP Long has remained silent and complicit while publicly condemning a social movement that is fighting against racism, imperialism, and colonialism. He has engaged in smears, defamation, and doxxing by targeting the employer of a constituent who is seeking justice from the Canadian government—justice that is especially urgent for his own family, 125 members of whom have been killed by Israel’s ongoing and escalating genocide in Gaza.
MP Wayne Long shocked everyone by endorsing a dangerous comment from one of his followers, who accused a Canadian PSC-SJ activist of being a terrorist, with a chilling reply: ‘he is.’ We are appalled that MP Long exhibits a lack of empathy and disregard for the safety and privacy of his own constituents.
The video posted by Mr. Long referred to an event on 23 July 2024 where Mr. Long was approached by Palestine solidarity activists at the grand opening of the Saint John waterfront park officially named ‘Ihtoli-maqahamok – The Gathering Space.’ Activists demanded that the MP support an arms embargo on Israel and denounce the genocide in Gaza. Given Canada’s complicity and lack of action to hold Israel accountable, politicians arming a genocide are rightly being confronted in public settings across the country. MP Long’s refusal to support an arms embargo as well as his insensitive and irresponsible response only exacerbates the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza but also their family members in New Brunswick.
On a 23 July 2024 Facebook comment, referencing members of PSC – SJ, he wrote, MP Long wrote that “They are aggressive and intimidate [sic]. One member of their [sic] group yesterday told a Jewish woman [sic] in the audience that Oct 7 was a hoax. Think about that one.” MP Long provides no evidence to substantiate this claim and chose to tag an individual in his riding on social media citing unverified hearsay and rumor. It is also worth noting that it is well documented Israel circulated false claims and lies about what happened on October 7 that were then repeated by human rights organizations, politicians, and the media. We note also a statement made by IJVNB in this regard, raising concerns about MP Long’s comment, However, Wayne Long ignored this and other statements.
MP Wayne Long’s unethical and anti-Palestinian racist actions were condemned by NDP
We join other organizations and individual in their call for MP Long to immediately resign in the interests of public trust and the dignity of public office. We also demand that the Liberal Party leadership take responsible action and investigate the unethical actions of MP Wayne Long.
A petition with over 3,100 signatures was directed to Justin Trudeau and the leadership of the Liberal Party, urging an investigation. Unfortunately, the Liberal Party turned a blind eye to this petition and ignored it, which has allowed MP Wayne Long to continue his unethical behavior.
We also continue to demand the Government of Canada impose an immediate and comprehensive two-way arms embargo towards ending the genocide in Gaza and the illegal occupation of Palestine.
To learn more about anti-Palestinian racism, see the 2022 report on Anti-Palestinian racism by the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association. For more information about the dangers of equating criticism of Israel and Zionism with antisemitism, visit noihra.ca.
See more:
Saint John MP Wayne Long harasses Pro-Palestine protestors. – YouTube
The Racism of Wayne Long, MP Saint John-Rothesay – Liberation Now
