A Canadian delegation previously denied entry to the West Bank has returned to Canada following their experiences at the Israeli border. The group, which included 30 delegates and six Members of Parliament, was sponsored by The Canadian-Muslim Vote and aimed to meet with displaced Palestinians. However, they were intercepted at the Allenby Crossing by Israeli authorities.
Montreal MP Sameer Zuberi expressed his shock and discontent regarding their treatment by Israeli border officials. Upon landing at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport on Saturday, Zuberi described the encounter as “uncalled for and unbecoming.” He raised concerns about the broader implications of such treatment, questioning how those who are not Canadians or Parliamentarians would be treated under similar circumstances.
In response to the incident, Israel’s embassy in Canada stated that the delegation was denied entry due to The Canadian-Muslim Vote's alleged links to Islamic Relief Worldwide, which the Israeli government has labeled as a terrorist organization.
Similarly, Mississauga-Erin Mills MP Iqra Khalid recounted her experience during the border ordeal, claiming that she was pushed by officials while attempting to check on a fellow delegate who was subjected to additional questioning. Khalid later shared details of the incident with Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, who assured her that the matter would receive further attention.
Khalid emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the context of democracy, declaring, “There’s no democracy without transparency and accountability.” She underscored that these values are crucial as Canadians advocate for democracy in the region, particularly concerning the Palestinian situation.
Following the delegation's experience, a spokeswoman for Minister Anand’s office revealed that Global Affairs Canada promptly summoned the Israeli ambassador on Tuesday after learning about the incident. This shows an immediate response from the Canadian government concerning the treatment of its parliamentary members abroad.
Despite the setback in their original plans, the delegation visited Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan prior to their return and met with Jordanian officials. Khalid highlighted the discussions focused on how Canada might offer support from their perspective. This illustrates the delegation's ongoing commitment to understanding and addressing the issues faced by Palestinians, even if their initial objectives in the West Bank were thwarted.
Additionally, Canada officially recognized Palestinian statehood in September, subject to certain conditions being met, including upcoming elections which Hamas is reportedly barred from contesting. This adds another layer of complexity to Canada’s diplomatic stance regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The incident has raised significant questions about the treatment of individuals crossing international borders and sheds light on the diplomatic challenges faced by Canada in its foreign relations, particularly in relation to the Israel-Palestine issue.
