NDP MP’s Pin Supporting Palestinians Draws Warning From House Speaker

NDP MP Heather McPherson rises in the House of Commons on Nov. 19, 2024, after being warned by Speaker Greg Fergus for wearing a prop. House of Commons/Screenshot via The Epoch Times

The Speaker of the House of Commons has reminded an NDP MP about parliamentary rules governing the use of props after she wore a pro-Palestinian pin while accusing Israel of genocide.

MP Heather McPherson wore the watermelon-shaped pin, which has become a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians, in the House on Nov. 18. She was cautioned by Speaker Greg Fergus during question period.

McPherson said in the House that a United Nations report had found Israel’s intervention in Gaza is “consistent with the characteristics of genocide” and she asked when the Liberals will sanction the Israeli government and put in place an “actual arms embargo.”

Before the government representative could respond, Fergus intervened and said he encourages and reminds all MPs to “be careful with what they wear in the House to ensure that it would not be considered a prop.”

Rules of the House on order and decorum state MPs are not allowed to use visual displays or props of any kind to emphasize their positions. The rule on pins, however, is not straightforward.

“While political buttons and lapel pins have not been considered exhibits as long as they do not cause disorder, the Speaker has interrupted a division to request that certain Members remove ‘props’ from their lapels,” say the rules.

McPherson rose on a point of order to protest the comment made by Speaker Fergus, saying it left her “deeply concerned.”

“I stand here proudly wearing a pin that shows that I stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and members within this place are wearing pins for various reasons,” she said.

“People wear poppies within the House. I have many times worn a flag for Ukraine-Canadian...” McPherson added before being interrupted by jeers from other MPs.

McPherson complained of being “heckled and shouted down by the Conservatives” as she was speaking.

Fergus did not immediately address McPherson’s concerns and said he would give further consideration to the matter.

The U.N. report McPherson alluded to, which accuses Israel of genocide, was released on Nov. 14 by the U.N. Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the report contains “false claims” and said “Israel’s activities are directed solely at dismantling Hamas’s terror capabilities and not at the people of Gaza.”

The House of Commons has been split on the conflict since Hamas launched its terrorist attack on Israel last year. The assault prompted Israeli retaliation in Gaza.

The NDP has pushed the government to take a hard stance against Israel, whereas Conservatives have expressed support for Israel’s goal of eliminating Hamas, which is considered a terrorist entity by the federal government.

The Liberal government has supported Israel’s right to self-defence while also calling for the end of hostilities on humanitarian grounds.

Scarf Wearing

While McPherson was cautioned for wearing the pin, other NDP MPs have not been warned for occasionally wearing the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh scarf inside the House of Commons. McPherson and her colleagues, including Alexandre Boulerice, Blake Desjarlais, and Matthew Green, have all worn it since Oct. 7 last year.

The keffiyeh has not been sanctioned in Ottawa, but has in the Ontario legislature. Speaker Ted Arnott banned the scarf in March as he likened it to a political statement. The scarf was being worn by Independent MPP Sarah Jama, who was ejected from the NDP caucus in 2023 because of her comments on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Arnott loosened the ban in May, allowing the keffiyeh inside the legislative building but not in the Chamber.

The keffiyeh is a traditional scarf worn by Palestinians and other Arabs in the region. It has been a fixture in marches for Palestine and against Israel.