Key Takeaways
- Humanitarian and civil society leaders were denied entry to the West Bank by Israeli border officials
- A Canadian delegation of 6 Members of Parliament and 30 delegates were turned away at the Jordan’s Allenby crossing
- The delegation had valid travel authorizations to visit Palestinian communities across Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, and Jerusalem
- The denial of entry is seen as a deliberate attempt to block independent research and human rights observation
- The incident highlights the decades-long mistreatment of Palestinians in the occupied territories
Introduction to the Incident
Humanitarian and civil society leaders travelling to the West Bank for human rights observation were recently denied entry by Israeli border officials. This incident has sparked outrage and concern among human rights advocates, who were planning to share their experiences and observations on Parliament Hill. On December 29, 2025, a press conference was held on Parliament Hill, where members of the Canadian delegation shared their firsthand accounts of the treatment they received at the border and the restrictions on movement and international observation imposed by Israeli authorities.
The Canadian Delegation’s Experience
The Canadian delegation, consisting of 6 Members of Parliament and 30 delegates representing various NGOs, humanitarian, and civil society groups, arrived at the Jordan’s Allenby crossing with valid travel authorizations to visit diverse Palestinian communities across Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, and Jerusalem. However, after waiting for over 3 hours, they were turned away by Israeli border officials. The delegation had planned to visit refugee camps and observe the human rights situation in the occupied territories, but their efforts were thwarted by the denial of entry. The incident has been widely condemned by human rights organizations and advocates, who see it as a deliberate attempt to block independent research and human rights observation.
Response from Human Rights Advocates
The press conference on Parliament Hill featured several speakers, including Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada, Ahmed Ramadan, Advocacy Officer at Justice For All Canada, and Mahmuda Khan, Global CEO of Human Concern International (HCI). The speakers expressed their outrage and disappointment at the denial of entry and called on the Government of Canada to respond to the incident and defend access for human rights observation. They also urged the government to take action on Israel’s illegal settlements, which remain a central driver of displacement and restriction on Palestinian life. As Taha Ghayyur stated, "The denial was a deliberate tool blocking our engagement and independent research on the situation of Palestinians. But what we experienced at the border is a small example of the decades-long mistreatment faced by Palestinians in the occupied territories."
Call to Action
The speakers at the press conference emphasized the importance of taking action to address the human rights situation in the occupied territories. They called on the Government of Canada to take a stronger stance on Israel’s illegal settlements and to defend the rights of Palestinians to live in dignity and freedom. The incident has highlighted the need for increased awareness and advocacy on the issue, and human rights organizations are urging the government to take concrete steps to address the situation. As Ahmad Al Qadi, Government Affairs and Public Policy Officer at the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), noted, "The denial of entry to the West Bank is a symptom of a larger problem of Israeli occupation and oppression. We need to see a stronger response from the Canadian government to address this issue and defend the rights of Palestinians."
Justice For All Canada’s Role
Justice For All Canada, a human rights organization accredited by the United Nations, has been at the forefront of advocacy efforts on Muslim minority issues and anti-genocide advocacy. The organization has been working to raise awareness about the human rights situation in the occupied territories and to mobilize support for the Palestinian people. The incident at the border has highlighted the importance of their work and the need for continued advocacy and activism on this issue. As Umair Ashraf, Executive Director of The Canadian-Muslim Vote, stated, "The denial of entry to the West Bank is a reminder of the importance of our work in advocating for human rights and justice. We will continue to push for a stronger response from the Canadian government and to mobilize support for the Palestinian people."
Conclusion
The denial of entry to the West Bank by Israeli border officials is a disturbing incident that highlights the ongoing human rights crisis in the occupied territories. The incident has sparked outrage and concern among human rights advocates, who are calling on the Government of Canada to take action to address the situation. The press conference on Parliament Hill was an important step in raising awareness about the issue and mobilizing support for the Palestinian people. As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential that human rights organizations and advocates continue to push for a stronger response from the Canadian government and to defend the rights of Palestinians to live in dignity and freedom.