Canadian Delegation Barred from Entering West Bank by Israeli Authorities
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, a Canadian delegation was barred from entering the West Bank, with the Israeli embassy in Canada citing alleged connections to the ‘Worldwide Islamic Relief’ organization as the reason for the denial.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand expressed her dismay on social media, stating that Canada had voiced its “objection to the mistreatment of Canadian citizens.”
Iqra Khalid, a Member of Provincial Parliament for Ontario and a member of the Liberal Party of Canada, reported being part of the delegation and described being physically pushed by Israeli border officials on multiple occasions.
Khalid stated that while attempting to address the situation of one of the 30 delegation members, she was singled out for further questioning at the King Hussein Bridge crossing between Jordan and the occupied West Bank. She further alleged that she was pressured and shoved by Israeli officers.
According to Khalid, border officials recognized her as a Member of Parliament and confiscated her special passport, which differs from standard Canadian passports.
The Israeli embassy issued a statement asserting that Israel “will not allow entry to organizations and individuals associated with entities classified as terrorist.”
The delegation had planned to meet with displaced Palestinians in the West Bank. This incident comes as the occupying Israeli cabinet recently approved the construction of 764 new housing units in illegal settlements.
Settler construction in the West Bank is reportedly increasing at an unprecedented rate, a trend allegedly fueled by the support of the far-right cabinet.
Simultaneously, a surge of violence and brutal terrorist acts by settlers against Palestinians in villages and towns has resulted in the displacement of numerous villagers.
Despite a series of European sanctions against extremist settlers, the intensity of these attacks has not diminished, with a significant increase reported over the past year.
