Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has expressed concerns after six Canadian Members of Parliament (MPs) were denied entry to the West Bank by Israeli authorities. This incident has sparked a diplomatic dispute, with the Canadian government voicing its disapproval over the treatment of its officials. The MPs, who were part of a delegation on a fact-finding mission, were turned away at the Israeli border crossing with Jordan.
Details of the Denied Entry
The group, composed of MPs from the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Liberal Party, was part of a larger Canadian delegation of about 30 individuals. Despite prior notification given to Israeli officials and approved electronic travel authorizations, the MPs were not allowed to enter the West Bank. The MPs included Jenny Kwan, an NDP representative, and five Liberal MPs: Sameer Zuberi, Fares Al Soud, Aslam Rana, Iqra Khalid, and Gurbux Saini.
Israel’s Justification
The Israeli embassy in Ottawa released a statement explaining the reason behind their decision. According to the embassy, the group was denied entry due to their association with The Canadian Muslim Vote, a non-profit organization that has received the majority of its funding from Islamic Relief Canada. This organization is a subsidiary of Islamic Relief Worldwide, an Islamic aid entity that Israel has designated as a terrorist group.
The Israeli government has previously alleged that Islamic Relief Worldwide funnelled money to Hamas in 2014, a charge vehemently denied by the charity organization. The Canadian Muslim Vote has also refuted Israel’s allegations, describing them as a smear.
Canada’s Response
In response to the incident, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand expressed her disapproval and stated that the Canadian government has raised its objections with Israel. She emphasized that the denial of entry to parliamentarians conducting a professional visit was inconsistent with the decades-long bilateral relationship between the two nations.
Support from The Canadian Muslim Vote and Islamic Relief Canada
The Canadian Muslim Vote and Islamic Relief Canada, both involved in the organization of the trip, have condemned the treatment of the delegation by Israeli authorities. The groups alleged that members of the delegation were subjected to intimidation, and verbal and physical harassment.
Islamic Relief Canada, in its statement, maintained that it operates under strict compliance controls, including comprehensive financial oversight and independent audits. The organization has categorically denied Israel’s allegations of having terrorist ties, labeling these claims as baseless.
An Unfortunate Incident
The denial of entry to the Canadian MPs has stirred a diplomatic row and raised questions about the treatment of foreign officials by Israeli authorities. As investigations continue, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact the relationship between Canada and Israel, two nations that have shared a long history of diplomatic ties.
