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OTTAWA — The NDP deputy leader, Libby Davies, is urging Canadians to “speak out” against the growing bloodshed in Gaza, but has declined to discuss with the news media her strong views on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

While that is in keeping with leader Tom Mulcair’s strict approach to caucus discipline — only the leader and the official party critic are supposed to speak to the news media on issues — she has been more outspoken on social media.

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Davies has criticized a B.C. party activist who recently said he’s been punished by the NDP for alleging in 2012 that Muclair muzzles MPs, particularly Davies, on Middle Eastern issues.

“Spreading false information won’t help,” Davies wrote on her Facebook page in reference to Paul Manly, who was blocked by Mulcair’s staff from seeking the nomination to run in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith riding in the 2015 election.

The Middle East has divided New Democrats for years. Mulcair released a lengthy statement earlier this week intended to express a balanced view toward the Israel-Gaza conflict.