Liberal MP Anthony Housefather to stay in caucus

Liberal MP Anthony Housefather has ended his reflection on his place in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's caucus, declaring Friday that he intends to stay in the Liberal fold.

Liberal MP Anthony Housefather has ended his reflection on his place in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's caucus, declaring Friday that he intends to stay in the Liberal fold.

"My core values remain Liberal ones and after serious reflection, I believe my greatest value to Canadians is staying in caucus," he said in a lengthy statement released Friday afternoon.

In concluding his weeks of contemplation, Housefather said that while the House of Commons' passing of an NDP motion regarding the recognition of Palestinian statehood on March 18 was "a blow" to him and many within the Jewish community, after hearing from and speaking to thousands of his constituents and Canadians nationwide, he's decided that it's best for him to remain a Liberal.

"I knew from the beginning that whatever decision I made would make many people unhappy... I heard from people who asked me to leave the Liberal caucus and cross the floor and others who have asked me to remain and be their voice in the Liberal caucus," Housefather said.

"Despite the strong feelings on either side, I have been very gratified though that so many recognized how difficult the decision was for me and how many of my constituents pledged to support me regardless of the decision that I made."

The motion initially called on the federal government to recognize the "State of Palestine" – but the Liberals drastically altered its wording at the 11th-hour to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution. 

The late-night wrangling and rewriting of the motion's text sparked anger and disappointment among both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian advocacy groups. Housefather was one of three Liberal MPs to vote against the watered-down version of the motion.