Ashfaq baig 
A major diplomatic incident has occurred in the Middle East (Canada’s Stance). A group of Canadian politicians tried to visit the West Bank. However, they hvae stopped at the border. The Israeli government refused to let them in.
This happened on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. The group included six Members of Parliament (MPs). They traveled all the way to the border crossing. Yet, they have turned away after waiting for hours.
The reason given by Israel was surprising. They said the group posed a “safety concern.” One MP, Jenny Kwan, spoke out strongly against this. She said the claim is false.
In this blog post, we will explain everything. We will look at who was there. We will explain why they have banned. Furthermore, we will discuss the angry reaction from the Canadian government.
Who Was in the Delegation?
First, let us look at who was in the group. It was not just one person. It was a large delegation.
There were about 30 people in total. This group included civil society leaders and politicians. Specifically, six Canadian MPs were part of the team.
The MPs came from different political parties.
- Jenny Kwan: She is from the New Democratic Party (NDP). She represents Vancouver East.
- Iqra Khalid: She is a Liberal MP.
- Salma Zahid: She is another Liberal MP.
- Sameer Zuberi: Also a Liberal MP.
- Fares Al Soud: A Liberal MP.
- Gurbux Saini: A Liberal MP.
They traveled to the Allenby Bridge. This is a border crossing between Jordan and the West Bank. The West Bank is a territory occupied by Israel.
What Happened at the Border?
The group arrived on Tuesday morning. They expected to cross easily. In fact, they had papers that said they could enter.
Before the trip, they applied for travel authorizations. These are like visas. The Canadian government told Israel they were coming. Initially, everything seemed fine. The electronic permissions have approved.
However, things changed at the border. The group waited for a long time. Reports say they waited for three to four hours.
Then, the bad news came. Israeli officials told them they could not enter. They have forced to turn around. Consequently, they had to go back to Amman, Jordan.
The Physical Altercation
This was not just a paperwork problem. It was also scary. One MP said she was treated badly.
Iqra Khalid spoke to the news. She said an Israeli officer yelled at her. Furthermore, she claimed the officer pushed her.
She was trying to help another person in the group. A young woman was being questioned by soldiers. Khalid wanted to watch and make sure she was safe.
Khalid said, “An Israeli officer came up to me and he was yelling at my face.” Then, she said he shoved her multiple times. This is a very serious accusation. Usually, diplomats are treated with respect. Being pushed is a major breach of protocol.
Israel’s Reason: “Public Safety”
Why did Israel stop them? They gave a specific reason.
They handed the group a paper. This paper said they were denied for “public security or public safety” reasons.
Later, the Israeli embassy in Canada explained more. They said the problem was the group organizing the trip.
The trip was sponsored by The Canadian-Muslim Vote. This is a charity in Canada. It encourages Muslims to vote. However, Israel says this group is linked to terrorism.
Israel claims The Canadian-Muslim Vote gets money from Islamic Relief Canada. This is a very big charity. But, Israel says it is linked to Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW).
In 2014, Israel listed IRW as a “terror entity.” They claim it helps Hamas. Because of this link, Israel said the Canadian MPs could not enter.
Jenny Kwan Rejects the Claims
The Canadian MPs were furious. They did not accept this reason.
Jenny Kwan released a strong statement. She said the “safety” claim was not true.
She said, “I categorically reject the assertion that elected officials… pose any risk to public safety, security, or public order.”
Basically, she is saying that Canadian politicians are safe. They are not terrorists. They are elected leaders.
She believes the reason is fake. She thinks Israel just wants to hide things. The MPs wanted to see the living conditions in the West Bank. They wanted to see the truth. By blocking them, Israel stops them from seeing what is happening.
The Canadian Government Reacts
The news reached Ottawa quickly. The Canadian government is not happy.
Anita Anand is the Minister of Foreign Affairs. She spoke up on social media. Sh said Canada has objected to this treatment.
She wrote that they expressed “Canada’s objections regarding the mistreatment of these Canadians.”
However, the MPs want more. They want the government to be tougher. The feel insulted. They represent Canada. When another country treats them like criminals, it is an insult to Canada too.
What Is the West Bank? Canada’s Stance
To understand this story, you need to know about the West Bank.
The West Bank is a piece of land. It is next to the Jordan River. Palestinians live there. However, Israel’s military controls it.
Because of this control, Israel decides who enters. You cannot just drive in. You must go through Israeli checkpoints.
The Canadian MPs were on a “fact-finding mission.” This means they wanted to learn. They planned to meet with regular people.
- They wanted to meet Palestinian families.
- They planned to visit refugee camps.
- They hoped to talk to peace activists.
By blocking them, Israel prevented this learning.
The Role of Charities
Let us talk about the charity issue again. This is the main excuse Israel used.
Islamic Relief Canada is a registered charity. In Canada, it is legal. It helps many poor people. The Canadian government works with them.
However, Israel views them differently. Israel says the parent group supports Hamas. Hamas is a group that Canada also lists as a terrorist entity.
But, Islamic Relief Worldwide denies this. They say they are independent. They say they only do humanitarian work.
The MPs say this is guilt by association. Just because they traveled with a Canadian charity, they were banned. They feel this is unfair.
A Pattern of Denials
This is not the first time this has happened. Israel often blocks critics.
In the past, they have banned United Nations workers. They have banned human rights lawyers. Now, they are banning Canadian MPs.
Critics say this is a pattern. They argue that Israel does not want witnesses. If politicians see suffering, they might speak out. Therefore, it is easier to keep them out.
Stephen Brown is from the National Council of Canadian Muslims. He was very disappointed. It said this is part of a “broader pattern.” He believes Israel restricts access to hide the reality.
The Goal of the Trip
The delegation had a clear plan. They were going to stay for three days.
They wanted to see “settler violence.” In the West Bank, Israeli settlers live near Palestinians. Sometimes, there are fights. The United Nations says settler violence is increasing.
The MPs wanted to see this with their own eyes. They wanted to talk to the victims.
Also, they wanted to visit holy sites. The region is holy for Muslims, Christians, and Jews. It was supposed to be an educational trip.
Now, all those meetings are cancelled. The people waiting to meet them are disappointed.
What Happens Next?
So, what will the MPs do now?
Currently, they are in Jordan. They are safe. However, their trip is ruined. They cannot cross the river.
They said they will not try again right now. It is too risky. They do not want to be pushed or yelled at again.
Instead, they will return to Canada. Once they are home, they will speak in Parliament. They will tell everyone what happened.
This might cause a fight in Parliament. The opposition parties might blame the government. They might say the Prime Minister needs to do more.
Why This Matters
You might wonder why this is important. It matters for a few reasons.
- Diplomacy: Canada and Israel are friends. But friends should treat each other with respect. Pushing an MP is not respectful.
- Transparency: If MPs cannot visit, who can? We rely on leaders to tell us the truth. If they are blocked, we stay in the dark.
- Human Rights: The trip was about human rights. Blocking it sends a bad message. It suggests that human rights are not a priority.
The Response from the Public
Canadians are reacting to this news. Social media is busy.
Some people support Israel. They say Israel has a right to protect its borders. They believe the security concerns are real. Canada’s Stance
However, many others are angry. They support the MPs. The say Canada should be stronger. They want the government to demand an apology. Canada’s Stance
The incident highlights a divide. People have very different views on the Middle East. This event makes those differences even clearer. Canada’s Stance
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