In a significant diplomatic development, six Canadian Members of Parliament (MPs) were denied entry by Israel while attempting to cross from Jordan into the occupied West Bank. The group, part of a larger delegation of 30 individuals, was participating in a trip sponsored by the non-profit organization The Canadian-Muslim Vote (TCMV).

Canada’s Foreign Minister, Anita Anand, confirmed the denial and stated that her ministry had formally “expressed Canada’s objections regarding the mistreatment of these Canadians while attempting to cross.” The incident has sparked concerns about freedom of travel for lawmakers, humanitarian observation missions, and growing diplomatic tensions between Canada and Israel.

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Background of the Delegation and Travel Plans

The delegation, which included five Liberal Party MPs—Fares Al Soud, Iqra Khalid, Aslam Rana, Gurbux Saini, and Sameer Zuberi—and New Democratic Party MP Jenny Kwan, aimed to observe conditions on the ground in the occupied Palestinian territories. The group also included members of the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) and community leaders.

The purpose of the trip was reportedly to engage directly with Palestinian and international stakeholders to better understand humanitarian and social issues in the West Bank. However, the group was stopped at the Allenby border crossing, an area monitored by the Israeli military authority COGAT, which oversees entry into the West Bank.

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Israel’s Stated Reason for Denial

The Israeli ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, stated that the delegation was denied entry due to links between TCMV and Islamic Relief Worldwide, an NGO Israel has classified as a terrorist organization. Both TCMV and Islamic Relief Worldwide strongly deny these allegations, emphasizing that the trip’s funding came solely from legitimate, qualified donors.

A spokesperson for Islamic Relief Worldwide described the allegations as “false” and highlighted that their humanitarian work in Gaza has been audited by donor governments and international auditing firms, confirming the purely humanitarian nature of their operations.

Similarly, Islamic Relief Canada CEO Tufail Hussain stated:
“Claims that our charitable resources support terrorism are baseless and dangerous and they place aid workers and the beneficiaries we serve at risk.”

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Reactions from Canadian Officials and Organizations

MP Jenny Kwan condemned the denial, calling it “completely unacceptable” and dismissing the idea that the lawmakers posed any security threat. NCCM CEO Stephen Brown criticized the move, framing it as part of a “broader pattern” of restricting access for individuals aiming to independently witness conditions in the occupied territories.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand emphasized Canada’s objection to the treatment of its MPs and indicated that diplomatic channels were being utilized to address the situation.

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Historical Context and Diplomatic Implications

This incident occurs amid rising tensions between Canada and Israel. In September, Canada officially recognized a Palestinian state, a move that drew sharp criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called the recognition “disgraceful.”

The current situation mirrors previous cases in the United Kingdom. Earlier this year, MPs from the UK Labour Party were also denied entry while visiting Palestinian territories from Jordan. These incidents have raised broader questions about Israel’s restrictions on parliamentary delegations and international observers.

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Conclusion

The denial of entry for six Canadian MPs highlights ongoing diplomatic friction between Canada and Israel, as well as the complex challenges faced by organizations and lawmakers seeking to observe conditions in the occupied West Bank. Both Canadian and international officials have voiced concern, emphasizing the importance of unrestricted humanitarian observation and the protection of lawmakers’ rights to travel for oversight missions.