The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada, on May 15 to introduce pro-Palestinian legislation, calling on the Canadian government to economically sanction Israeli settlements and recognize Palestinian statehood.

Titled the “Nakba Bill,” the proposed legislation references the Nakba—Arabic for “catastrophe”—when more than 700,000 Palestinians were displaced following the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. May 15 marked its 77th anniversary.

“I’m proud to present the first model legislation in Canadian history that charts our own course as a nation on Palestinian human rights,” NCCM CEO Stephen Brown said at a press conference on Parliament Hill. “We’ve called this legislation the ‘Nakba Bill’—an act for Canada to stand for human rights and peace in the Middle East.”

Described as a historic first in Canadian legislative efforts, the bill aims to “set the agenda for Palestinian human rights,” said NCCM Communications Director Reem Sheet.

The legislation also calls for a complete arms embargo on Israel, a ban on Canadian citizens enlisting in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), a prohibition on settlement goods from the West Bank, and recognition of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) authority to prosecute world leaders for crimes against humanity. It also calls for May 15 to be recognized as "Nakba Day"

During the press conference, Brown described Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza as a modern-day Nakba, referencing recent inflammatory rhetoric from two world leaders whom he accused of supporting ethnic cleansing.

“As we stand here now, the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip are enduring what can only be seen as a second Nakba,” he said. “Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump have openly spoken about plans to ethnically cleanse Gaza of 2.5 million Palestinians ahead of annexing the area.”

Before May 15, Brown had expressed optimism about the bill’s chances in an interview with Anadolu Agency, a Turkiye-aligned news outlet.

“By the time parliamentarians are back in the new session in the fall, we think there’s a good chance of this model legislation being passed in some shape or form during that session—if not before,” he said.

Brown also pointed to rhetoric by newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as a possible sign of political alignment with the bill’s goals.

“Carney stated that the principle of territorial integrity—whether it’s for Canada, Ukraine, or Gaza—is sacrosanct,” he said.

Brown also mentioned that over 70% of Canadians support a ceasefire in Gaza, citing a 2024 NCCM survey.