Tunisian-born NDP MP leaves caucus because party leader Tom Mulcair says Israel doesn't have to allow its own extermination

OTTAWA - A New Democrat MP has quit the caucus over what she felt was an excessively pro-Israel stance on the current conflict in Gaza and demeaning party demands to toe the line.

Sana Hassainia, who represents the Montreal-area riding of Vercheres-Les Patriotes, was specifically critical of NDP Leader Tom Mulcair in a blog post that appeared online Wednesday.

Hassainia alleged that she was "punished" for supporting Mulcair rival Brian Topp for the party leadership, including losing her position on the Commons committee on the status of women. She also said she was forced to stay quiet over her views on the Middle East and accept a position that didn't align with her values.

"For me, a party leader should be loved like (former leader) Jack Layton and not feared," wrote Hassainia, who is originally from Tunisia.

"Today, I have the courage to make a significant gesture, to take a weight off my shoulders and stand by my convictions."

However, NDP sources said Hassainia has never before voiced concern over Mulcair's position on Israel and accused her of simply looking for an excuse to cover the fact that she rarely shows up for work.

From Hassainia's blog:  "The first statement that the NDP issued is clearly despicable in my eyes. It said roughly speaking that Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorist attacks by Hamas. "