Several members of a Canadian delegation were denied entry too the West Bank last Tuesday and have since returned to Canada, sparking a diplomatic dispute.
The group of 30 delegates, including six Members of Parliament, sponsored by The Canadian-Muslim Vote, intended to meet with displaced Palestinians but were turned away by Israel at the Allenby Crossing.
Montreal MP Sameer Zuberi expressed shock and dismay at the treatment received from Israeli border officials. “The manner in which we were treated was uncalled for and unbecoming,” Zuberi said upon arriving at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport on saturday alongside MP Iqra Khalid. “I’m very surprised that any border officials would ever deal with us as they dealt with us. And if they dealt with us in such a rude and rough fashion, how do they deal with people who are not Canadian, who are not Parliamentarians – that’s a serious question that needs to be asked and needs to be answered.”
Israel’s embassy in Canada stated the delegation was refused entry due to The Canadian-Muslim Vote’s alleged ties to Islamic Relief Worldwide, an organization the Israeli government has designated as a terrorist group.
Khalid, representing Mississauga-Erin Mills, reported being pushed by border officials while inquiring about a delegate undergoing additional questioning. She shared these details with Foreign affairs Minister Anita Anand, who pledged to investigate.
“There’s no democracy without transparency and accountability, and as we Canadians really push forward for democracy, especially in that region, I think transparency and accountability and justice are very, very critically important pillars,” Khalid stated.
A spokesperson for Anand’s office confirmed Friday that global Affairs Canada instantly summoned the Israeli ambassador upon learning of the incident on Tuesday.
Prior to the attempted entry into the West Bank, the delegation visited Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan and held meetings with Jordanian officials Monday, seeking insights into potential Canadian support, according to Khalid.
Canada formally recognized Palestinian statehood in September, contingent upon conditions including elections in the new year that exclude Hamas participation.
Files from The Canadian Press were used in this report
Clarification of Changes & Answers to Questions:
* Why: A Canadian delegation, sponsored by The Canadian-Muslim Vote, was denied entry to the West bank by Israeli border officials. Israel cited alleged ties between The Canadian-Muslim Vote and Islamic Relief Worldwide, which Israel designates as a terrorist organization.
* Who: The delegation consisted of 30 people, including six Members of Parliament (Sameer Zuberi and Iqra Khalid were specifically named). The key players involved are the Canadian delegation, Israeli border officials, the Israeli embassy in Canada, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, and The canadian-Muslim Vote.
* what: The delegation intended to meet with displaced Palestinians in the West Bank. They were turned away at the Allenby Crossing. The incident has led to a diplomatic dispute, with Canada summoning the Israeli ambassador.
* How did it end?: The delegation returned to Canada. Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister has pledged to investigate the incident, and Global Affairs Canada summoned the Israeli ambassador. The situation remains a diplomatic dispute, with no immediate resolution stated in the article.
* Breakpoints: I chose breakpoints after the initial description of the incident and the MPs’ reactions, and after Khalid’s statement and the confirmation of the ambassador being summoned.
