DELEGATION TO PALESTINE

December 23, 2025

Dear Prime Minister Carney,

On Tuesday, December 16th, a parliamentary delegation to Palestine hosted by The Canadian-Muslim Vote attempted to enter the West Bank through the Allenby Crossing, at precisely the same location that a TCMV delegation with MPs had previously entered in January 2024.

All delegates complied with Israeli requirements, including pre-approved Electronic Travel Authorizations, yet were arbitrarily denied entry.

Israeli authorities issued false claims that the delegation lacked prior coordination, then cited vague “security reasons” that included barring six sitting Canadian Members of Parliament from entry. These shifting justifications were untrue and contradicted documented approvals. This incident reflects a broader pattern of Israeli authorities denying access to parliamentary delegations from allied democracies and mistreating foreign officials. Public statements by the Israeli ambassador repeated false claims that endangered Canadian officials, put aid organizations at risk, and undermined Canada’s diplomatic standing.

Israel further accused two organizations in the delegation of terrorist ties without evidence or due process. These reckless allegations endangered Canadian delegates - and put humanitarian organizations at risk. In addition, a sitting Canadian Member of Parliament was physically assaulted by Israeli border authorities.

Given these escalations by the Israeli government in response to a Parliamentary trip, we are left with no other conclusion than that the Netanyahu government did not want MPs and independent observers in the West Bank at a moment of escalating settlement violence and expansion, settlements that Canada believes are illegal.

We appreciate that Minister Anand has taken the appropriate step to summon the Israeli ambassador to deliver a formal diplomatic protest. We look forward to hearing a clear, coherent, and fact-based explanation for why Canadian Members of Parliament, civil society representatives, and organizations were barred from entry; why false and damaging allegations were made against Canadians and Canadian charities; and why Israeli border officials physically assaulted a sitting Member of Parliament. Canada must communicate unequivocally that harm to Canadian citizens, at home or abroad, will carry consequences.

In light of that, we, the undersigned organizations, standing up for our humanitarian organizations, for all Members of Parliament, and for human rights for all people, urge the Government of Canada to:

• Ban imports from illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.
• Investigate Canadian entities involved in advancing illegal settlements and take appropriate legal action.
• Strengthen accountability measures by expanding sanctions related to illegal settlement activity and enforcing Canadian law against those who participate in or materially support such violations.

It is in Canada’s best interest as a sovereign nation to respond decisively to protect its officials, uphold international law, and defend democratic norms.

Sincerely,