OTTAWA — Irwin Cotler, the former Liberal cabinet minister and former MP for Mount Royal, says he recommended his successor Anthony Housefather resign from his party’s caucus and sit as an Independent this spring as he prepares to face a “formidable” Conservative opponent next election.

Cotler, a longtime Liberal stalwart, said in an interview he wholeheartedly supports Housefather in the brewing battle between Liberals and Conservatives for the central Montreal riding that Cotler represented from 1999 to 2015. But he thinks Housefather is in for a rough ride in the next election due to&nbsp;growing anger from the riding’s large Jewish population&nbsp;towards the governing Liberals, particularly their positions on Israel and antisemitism since the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas.

Former MP Cotler says he recommended Housefather sit as an independent as he faces a "formidable" Conservative opponent next election.{ai:summary}<p>Irwin Cotler, the veteran Liberal, nudges his successor, Anthony Housefather, to ditch party ties and go rogue as an Independent. Cotler knows the Conservatives are sharpening their knives, with tensions simmering in the Jewish community over the Liberals’ stance on Israel.</p><p>With the next election looming, Cotler's instincts scream that Housefather’s road ahead is paved with problems. The once-firm Liberal support is cracking under the strain of anger since the October 7th attacks. #politics</p>

Irwin Cotler suggested Anthony Housefather resign from Liberal caucus

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