The Hamilton party representative, Sara Jama, faced criticism for her remarks on the war between Israel and Gaza on the same day she was excluded from the Ontario New Democratic Party gathering.

The Doug Ford government voted on Monday in favor of a motion that not only represented an official rejection of the Hamilton Center member of parliament's statements, but also prevented the Speaker from recognizing her until a formal apology was issued and the social media post was deleted.

The motion was approved by a majority of 63 votes to 23, with the New Democratic Party voting to reprimand her.

New Democratic Party leader Marit Stiles said in a statement that the motion was “undemocratic” and that the progressive conservatives “deprived the Hamilton Center voters of their right to vote.”

She added, "This extreme motion has prevented any member from participating in the legislature just six months after being elected. It sets a dangerous precedent."

However, the New Democratic Party's support for Jama ended with the reprimand vote, and just moments before, Jama was expelled from the New Democratic Party in Ontario.

Stiles stated in a statement that there is room for differing and opposing views in her party gathering, and that she and Jama had initially come to an agreement "that included working together in good faith without any surprises."

Stiles wrote, "Since then, she has taken a number of unilateral actions that undermined our collective work and broke her colleagues' trust. Some of Ms. Jama's actions have contributed to creating unsafe work environments for staff."

"As such, with the support of New Democratic Party Members of Parliament in Ontario, I had no choice but to expel Ms. Jama from our party gathering."

When the conflict between Israel and Gaza first erupted, Jama issued a strongly-worded statement calling for an end to "all occupation of Palestinian lands." The statement did not acknowledge the Hamas attacks on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of thousands and the abduction of Israeli citizens.

Although she apologized and condemned "the terrorism perpetrated by Hamas" in a later statement the next day, Jama remained silent while her colleagues at Queen's Park discussed her criticism.

She spoke before the legislature for the first time on Monday, and did not apologize or retract her original comment. Instead, she reiterated her call to end "Israeli apartheid."

"The Ford government has nothing meaningful to say about these atrocities, and they have now targeted me to distract from their scandals. Those of us committed to Palestinian life refuse to be distracted," she said.

"I focus my words on the reality of Israeli apartheid, ongoing Israeli domination and occupation of Palestinian lands, which governments and institutions in Canada are trying to use their weight to silence us, and silence workers, students, teachers, and peace-loving people who dare to support Palestine. To everyone who risks speaking out for the dignity and safety of Palestinians, I see you, I hear you, and I stand with you."

Jama did not speak to the media after question period. She was surrounded by supporters in the chamber as she left the legislature, preventing reporters from asking questions and using scarves to block cameras from filming the party.

Jama is also threatening legal action against the Premier for what she calls "defamatory" statements accusing her of having a history of antisemitism and supporting "the rape and murder of innocent Jewish people."

A cease and desist letter was sent to the Premier's office on Friday stating that the comments have caused severe damage to Jama's reputation and implicitly suggesting that she is racist against Jewish people and sympathetic to terrorism.

Ford has not complied with the cease and desist order, and the attorney representing Ford states that his client denies the allegations of defaming Jama and says it is "an unfortunate attempt to limit Premier Ford's freedom of expression and speech on a matter of immense public importance."

A letter sent to Jama's legal representative stated, "If your client chooses to file a lawsuit against Premier Ford, this action will be vigorously defended."