Nova Scotia NDP, candidate part ways after concerns raised by Jewish organizations

A candidate for the Nova Scotia NDP has apologized and is no longer running for the party in the provincial election after her comments on Israel and the Holocaust drew concern from Jewish organizations. 

On Friday, the Atlantic Jewish Council and Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs released a joint statement about social media posts they say were made by Tammy Jakeman, who was on the ballot for the NDP in Eastern Passage.

The organizations described the comments on Israel and the Holocaust as hurtful, inflammatory and "deeply troubling."

"Any candidate that would hold those views, doesn't matter the party or an Independent, we would be concerned," Mark David, president of the Atlantic Jewish Council, said in an interview Sunday.

David said two posts to X by Jakeman in 2023, which were flagged by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, "accused Israel of genocide, demeaned Holocaust remembrance efforts, and described Israel as 'happiest when terrorizing Palestinians.'" 

The statement asked NDP Leader Claudia Chender why Jakeman was allowed to run under the party banner. It also asks the party to separate itself from the remarks.

CBC has not been able to independently verify the content of the posts. Jakeman's X account appears to have been deleted. 

The party told CBC on Saturday that Jakeman had handed in her resignation. A statement from the party said Jakeman shares the party's "belief that the focus of our campaign must remain on delivering solutions to the issues facing Nova Scotians."

"New Democrats are committed to ensuring the safety and dignity of all members of the Jewish community and Nova Scotians of all faiths. We recognize that everyone running for office has a responsibility to ensure that their comments do not cause undue harm," said the statement. 

The party declined a request for an interview on the subject, but said they officially notified Elections Nova Scotia to remove Jakeman as a candidate before 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

The nomination deadline was on Nov 6, meaning no other NDP candidate can be nominated for Eastern Passage. However, Jakeman could run as an Independent.