Dear Mr. Mulcair and members of the NDP caucus,

This is a text message from my father Jim Manly,  from aboard the Estelle, that he wanted me to forward to you:

“Does the NDP caucus support the blockade of Gaza? Silence is consent!”

Jim Manly, who will turn 80 on Oct. 29 is about to enter the Sea of Gaza aboard the Gaza’s Ark ship, the Estelle, in an attempt to end the military blockade of Gaza.

A retired United Church Minister and NDP Member of Parliament (1980 - 88), my father is a tireless advocate of human rights and social justice. He spent decades working in solidarity with First Nations people in Canada and with indigenous people in Latin America and now in his later years he has turned his attention to the plight of Palestinians.

Where does the NDP stand on the plight of the Palestinians and the military blockade of Gaza?

Here are some links you should read to get a better understanding of what is happening in Gaza:

From the United Nations Relief and Works Agency UNRWA published Aug. 27, 2012:

Gaza in 2020: A liveable place? (www.unrwa.org/etemplate.php?id=1423)

From Haaretz Oct. 18, 2012:

2,279 calories per person: How Israel made sure Gaza didn’t starve (www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/2-279-calories-per-person-how-israel-made-sure-gaza-didn-t-starve.premium-1.470419).

State forced to release ‘red lines’ document for food consumption in the coastal Strip following legal battle; official: state has right to determine who it assists.

Both my father and I would like to hear a response to our question: does the NDP caucus support the blockade of Gaza?

How about a public statement?

Thanks Paul. As of press time the Estelle has been boarded and her occupants arrested. To date we have seen no comments from the NDP on this issue, and while other countries are applying pressure to have their citizen activists released, shamefully, Canada is not. ~ Ed