A Canadian delegation, which included six MPs, was recently denied entry to the West Bank and is now urging the Canadian government to strengthen sanctions against new Israeli settlements in the occupied territory. The group, aiming to meet with displaced Palestinians, was turned away at the Allenby border crossing on December 16. Witnesses reported that Ontario MP Iqra Khalid was pushed by an Israeli border guard during the incident.
Representatives from the delegation, including members of organizations such as the Canadian-Muslim Vote, Justice for All Canada, and the National Council of Canadian Muslims, are advocating for Ottawa to impose a ban on imports of goods from the occupied West Bank and to restrict Canadians from purchasing property in settlement areas. This call comes in response to Israel’s recent approval of 19 new settlements in parts of the West Bank under military occupation, a decision that has been condemned by Canada and its allies.
The groups are in ongoing discussions with Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand’s office regarding the events of December 16, although a formal meeting with the minister has not yet taken place.