In a recent incident highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a Canadian parliamentary delegation was barred from entering the occupied West Bank, raising significant concerns about transparency and humanitarian access in the region. Led by MP Jenny Kwan, the group aimed to engage with Palestinian communities and explore the ongoing challenges faced by residents amid rising violence. This denial of entry, labeled by Kwan as unfounded, emphasizes the pressing need for open dialogue and understanding as Canada moves toward recognizing Palestinian statehood.
A Canadian lawmaker who was denied entry to the occupied West Bank, along with fellow politicians and civil society leaders, has rejected Israel’s claims that their delegation posed a threat to public safety. Jenny Kwan, a member of the left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP), questioned whether Canada’s decision to recognize an independent Palestinian state earlier this year influenced Israel’s choice to block their entry.
Kwan expressed disbelief in an interview with ZezapTV, “How is it that members of parliament are considered a public safety concern? How can civil society organizations engaged in humanitarian work also be deemed a security risk?” Her remarks came after she and five other MPs were part of a larger delegation of 30 Canadians turned away at the King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge, which connects Jordan to the West Bank and is controlled on the Palestinian side by Israel. The delegation, organized by the nonprofit group The Canadian-Muslim Vote, was subjected to an extensive security check before being denied entry.
The experience was alarming, Kwan recounted, as a female fellow MP was reportedly “manhandled” by Israeli border agents during the incident, raising questions about the treatment of officials and citizens alike in the region. “If a member of parliament could be treated this way, what could happen to an ordinary citizen?” she pondered.
The delegation’s trip was intended to facilitate discussion with Palestinian community members living under increasing military and settler violence. Planned meetings with Jewish families affected by the ongoing conflict were also part of their itinerary, with Kwan characterizing the visit as a vital fact-finding mission.
In response to inquiries about the incident, Global Affairs Canada did not provide comments. However, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand stated on Tuesday that the ministry was in contact with the delegation and had expressed Canada’s objections regarding the mistreatment of its citizens at the crossing.
The Israeli military, without providing specific responses to the situation, indicated to ZezapTV that the delegates’ entry was denied due to a lack of prior coordination and cited security reasons. However, the delegates contended they had obtained the necessary Israel Electronic Travel Authorization permits before arriving at the crossing. Kwan noted that the Canadian government had notified Israeli authorities of their travel plans in advance, leaving her questioning the supposed lack of coordination.
With Canada’s longstanding support for Israel, recent recognition of Palestinian statehood elicited strong rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who asserted, “Israel will not allow you to shove a terror state down our throats,” during an address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
This recognition coincided with substantial protests across Canada and other Western nations, promoting calls for an end to ongoing violence against Palestinians in Gaza that has led to significant casualties since October 2023. In light of these events, members of the Canadian delegation suggested that their denied entry may be part of an Israeli strategy to prevent external observers from witnessing the situation on the ground.
“What are they trying to hide?” asked Fawad Kalsi, CEO of the relief organization Penny Appeal Canada, and one of the delegates. Kwan raised similar concerns, asserting that restricting access contributes to ongoing misinformation and disinformation regarding the conditions faced by Palestinians. She further highlighted the challenges faced by humanitarian workers, recalling instances where foreign doctors were also turned back while attempting to deliver medicines and baby supplies.
“If we as members of parliament face such denial,” Kwan reflected, “imagine the hardships that everyday individuals experience that we remain unaware of.”
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