Key Takeaways
- A delegation of 30 Canadians, including six Members of Parliament, was denied entry into the West Bank due to refusal to sign a form declaring they are a threat to public safety.
- The group had planned to meet with civil society groups, Palestinian refugees, and officials from the Canadian government and the Palestinian Authority.
- The denial of entry is seen as part of a broader pattern by the Israeli government of restricting access to those seeking to witness the realities in the occupied territories.
- The trip was organized by the Canadian Muslim Vote, a Canadian registered non-profit charity organization.
- The relationship between the Canadian government and Israel has been deteriorating over the last two years, particularly after Canada’s recognition of a Palestinian state.
Introduction to the Situation
A delegation of 30 Canadians, including six Members of Parliament, was denied entry into the West Bank early on Tuesday. The group, which included members from the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), was attempting to enter the West Bank by land from the Allenby crossing in Jordan. According to a spokesperson for the NCCM, each delegate was asked to sign a form declaring they acknowledge they are a threat to public safety, which they declined to do. This development has been described as "deeply troubling and extremely disappointing" by the NCCM’s CEO, Stephen Brown.
Background and Context
The group was on a sponsored travel trip organized by the Canadian Muslim Vote, a Canadian registered non-profit charity organization. The trip was planned to include meetings with civil society groups, Palestinian refugees, and internally displaced people, as well as officials from the Canadian government and the Palestinian Authority. The meetings were to be held across the region, including in Jerusalem, Jenin, Hebron, and multiple refugee camps. The NCCM statement also mentioned that members of the delegation had been granted electronic travel authorizations by Israel before arriving at the border, making the denial of entry even more surprising.
Reaction and Implications
The denial of entry has been seen as part of a broader pattern by the Israeli government of restricting access to those seeking to witness the realities in the occupied territories. The NCCM’s CEO, Stephen Brown, stated that "while we are saddened by this outcome, it regrettably aligns with a broader pattern by the Israeli government of restricting access to those seeking to independently witness the realities in the occupied territories." The group’s safety is not a concern, as they are currently on their way back to Jordan, with plans to return to Canada after attending a series of meetings in Jordan.
Deteriorating Relationship
The trip comes almost three months after the Canadian government formally recognized a Palestinian state, just ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. This symbolic gesture angered Israel, with Prime Minister Netanyahu stating that "Israel will not allow you to shove a terror state down our throats." The relationship between the Canadian government and Israel has been deteriorating over the last two years, and this incident is seen as a reflection of that. Last week, the NDP’s Jenny Kwan, the party’s only MP in the group, told CBC News that she suspected they could be denied entry because of the deteriorating relationship between the two countries.
Comparison to Previous Trips
In January 2024, a similar group of Liberal and NDP MPs was able to get into Israel and visit displaced Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. This incident highlights the changing dynamics between Canada and Israel, with the Canadian government’s recognition of a Palestinian state being a significant factor. The Israeli government’s reaction to the recognition has been strong, and this denial of entry is seen as a reflection of that. CBC News had inquired with the Israeli government for comment on the pending visit, but at the time, spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian said she had no information to share.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The denial of entry to the West Bank for the Canadian delegation is a significant incident that highlights the deteriorating relationship between Canada and Israel. The group’s plans to meet with civil society groups, Palestinian refugees, and officials from the Canadian government and the Palestinian Authority have been disrupted, and the incident is seen as part of a broader pattern by the Israeli government of restricting access to those seeking to witness the realities in the occupied territories. The Canadian government’s recognition of a Palestinian state has been a significant factor in the deteriorating relationship, and it remains to be seen how this incident will affect future relations between the two countries.