Tensions over the controversial Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS) against Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian Territories made their way into the House of Commons this week when a motion put forward by the Conservatives to condemn the movement passed with a majority.

But some of the Liberals who abstained or voted against it voiced their concern about its impact on freedom of speech.

“From my point of view, it restricts too much of freedom in Canada to criticize any state,” said Rene Arsenault, one of the three Liberal members of Parliament to vote against the motion — although many other Grit MPs abstained from voting.

The motion to condemn BDS was first put forward by Conservative MPs Tony Clement and Michelle Rempel on Feb. 18. It easily passed 229 to 51 on Monday with the support of Liberal and Conservative MPs.

The motion reads: “Given Canada and Israel share a long history of friendship as well as economic and diplomatic relations, the House rejected the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which promotes the demonization and delegitimization of the State of Israel, and called upon the government to condemn any and all attempts by Canadian organizations, groups or individuals to promote the BDS movement, both here at home and abroad.”

Arsenault said he could not support the motion because he thought the way it was written, didn’t make sense to him.

“We’re in 2016, we don’t talk about demonization in a motion in Parliament. You don’t condemn without parameters. What does condemning mean in this context?”

He also chose to not support the motion because he wasn’t sure what the consequence was for condemning the movement here and abroad.

According to the BDS website, they are a global campaign that urges economic sanctions against Israel to pressure them into complying with international law and Palestinian rights. The movement made headlines recently when, at McGill University in Montreal, the student general assembly passed a motion to support the organization.

While he didn’t vote against the BDS, Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith said the motion put forward by Clement is “designed to divide us. He is trolling.”

In an open letter dated Feb. 22, he explained his choice to abstain, saying that Clement had used “absolute language and aims to pit those who support Israel against those who question Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.”

Larry Bagnell, the MP for the Yukon, also chose not to support the motion. When iPolitics reached out for comment, he said “I am making no comment on the motion that you inquired about.”

Newly elected Liberal MP Nick Wahlen also declined to speak to iPolitics regarding his decision against the motion, but he did take to Twitter to discuss his stance.

@thefutureyousee not me – I voted against, many abstained. Difficult motion. I support the pro-Israel part of the motion, but 1/2 — Nick Whalen (@NickWhalenMP) February 22, 2016

@thefutureyousee opposed quelling forms of non-violent protest and free speech. I campaign against BDS – but protect right to debate it 2/2 — Nick Whalen (@NickWhalenMP) February 22, 2016

Buzzfeed reported earlier this week that of the 10 Muslims Liberal MPs now sitting, eight did not vote.

Meanwhile, Liberal MP for Mount Royal Anthony Housefather said he is “thrilled” with the overwhelming support to condemn BDS.

“It seeks to destroy the only Jewish state in the world. The goal of the BDS movement is to have all the Palestinians return to the state of Israel, which would take away the Jewish majority in Israel and no longer have the only Jewish state in the world,” he said in an interview.

“It’s a new form of anti-Semitism.”

He said the movement singles out Israel and does nothing to assist in the Middle East peace process, or in the two-state solution. He says it creates a division on campuses and marginalizes those students who are pro-Israel.

Housefather said the motion does not criminalize the support of BDS, which he said is a different issue all together. The motion simply shows the majority of Parliament does not support this group, he said.