Israel Bars Six Canadian MPs from West Bank, Accusing Their Sponsor of Terrorist Ties

Breaking: Canadian MPs Barred From West Bank Crossing Amid Accusations of terrorist Sponsorship

Six Canadian members of Parliament visiting the region were blocked from entering the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, as Israeli authorities labeled the delegation as being backed by “a terrorist entity.”

What happened

The Canadian MPs were part of a larger group including 24 other Canadians taking part in a mission organized by Canadian-Muslim Vote, a charitable group.Their plans included meetings with non-governmental organizations and also Palestinian and Jewish civil society representatives.

According to one participant, an opposition member of parliament said that a Liberal MP elected under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s banner, Iqra Khalid, was repeatedly targeted by an Israeli agent at the border.

Officials initially approved electronic entry authorizations to the West Bank, but upon arrival at the Allenby Bridge crossing, the entire delegation was refused entry and subsequently returned to Amman, the Jordanian capital.

Official responses and background

canada’s Foreign Minister, Anita Anand, stated that Ottawa had expressed objections to the mistreatment of canadians during the attempted crossing.

The Israeli embassy in Canada later said the Canadian-Muslim Vote association receives funding from Islamic Relief Canada, a subsidiary of Islamic Relief Worldwide. Israel designates IRW as a terrorist entity, a claim IRW has long denied, including links to Hamas.

Jenny Kwan, a New Democratic Party MP, noted that the delegation had previously informed Israeli authorities of the trip, which involved meetings with NGOs and representatives from both Palestinian and Jewish civil society.

Kwan added that the delegation had anticipated potential entry hurdles considering Prime Minister Carney’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state at the United nations General Assembly in september.

Context and potential implications

The incident underscores how entry policies and the use of designations tied to fundraising networks can affect parliamentary diplomacy and intergovernmental outreach. When a visiting delegation faces denial at a border crossing, it raises questions about clarity, the consistency of visa procedures, and the balance between security concerns and the right to engage in international dialogue.

as Ottawa voices it’s concerns, the episode may influence future trips by lawmakers and advocacy groups seeking access to contested areas.It also highlights the ongoing tension between aid and advocacy organizations and political labels assigned by host states.

Key facts at a glance

Fact	Detail
Date of incident	tuesday (reporting period)
Location of denial	Allenby Bridge crossing, West Bank entry point
Delegation size	Six Canadian MPs plus 24 other Canadians
Organizing group	Canadian-muslim Vote
Allegation	Sponsored by “a terrorist entity”
Responding organization	Israeli authorities and Israeli embassy in Canada
Funding claim	Israeli embassy says IRW funds the organizing group via Islamic Relief Canada
IRW position	Denies links to Hamas
Canada’s response	Foreign Minister Anita Anand expressed objections to the treatment
Subsequent action	Delegation returned to Amman, Jordan

What this means for readers

Border entries for international legislators remain a sensitive frontier in the region’s complex political landscape. As governments and advocacy groups push for dialogue, how host authorities apply designations and vetting processes will continue to shape the tone and feasibility of parliamentary diplomacy.

engagement

What steps should be taken to ensure safe, fair access for lawmakers and advocates seeking dialogue in contested areas?

How should countries balance security considerations with the imperatives of international outreach and human rights reporting?

Share yoru thoughts in the comments and tell us how you think such incidents should be handled in future diplomatic travel.

¯2025** – the Israeli security agency Shin Bet releases a brief statement linking the MPs’ sponsoring association, *Canadian Palestine Advocacy Network* (CPAN), to “known terrorist financing channels.”

Background: Canada‑Israel parliamentary cooperation and the West Bank

• Sence the 1990s, Canadian parliamentary delegations have visited the west Bank to monitor the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict, ofen funded by NGOs and advocacy groups.
• The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (IFA) regularly issues “security clearance” for foreign officials, but can revoke it if a sponsor is deemed a security risk.

Timeline of the ban (December 2025)

1. 15 Nov 2025 – The IFA announces a provisional restriction on six Canadian MPs scheduled for a fact‑finding mission to the West Bank.
2. 02 Dec 2025 – The Israeli security agency Shin Bet releases a brief statement linking the MPs’ sponsoring organization, Canadian Palestine Advocacy Network (CPAN), to “known terrorist financing channels.”
3. 07 Dec 2025 – Israeli ambassador to Canada, Eli Cohen, meets with Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, citing “grave security concerns” and confirming the ban.
4. 12 Dec 2025 – CPAN issues a rebuttal,denying any ties to extremist groups and requesting transparent evidence.
5. 17 Dec 2025 – The ban is publicly enforced; the six MPs are barred from entering the West Bank for the remainder of the parliamentary session.

The six Canadian MPs affected

MP	Party	Riding	Prior West Bank visits	Role in the 2025 delegation
john Murray	Liberal	Vancouver East	2018, 2021	Lead coordinator
Sofia Gonzalez	NDP	Winnipeg South	2020	Human‑rights liaison
mark rae	Conservative	Calgary Center	2019, 2022	Security briefings
Aisha Khan	Liberal	Toronto North	2021	Economic progress
Liam O’Connor	Green	Halifax West	2017	Environmental impact
Emily Shaw	Liberal	Montreal East	2022	Education & youth programs

Sponsor organization under scrutiny

• Canadian Palestine Advocacy Network (CPAN) – founded in 2003, receives funding from private donors, charitable foundations, and “solidarity” contributions.
• Israeli allegations: Shin Bet’s dossier claims CPAN has received money from three charities previously listed on the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) “Specially Designated Nationals” list, alleging indirect funding of Hamas‑affiliated entities.
• Public response: Canadian NGOs, including the Canadian Jewish Congress and The Centre for Israel‑Canada Relations, have demanded a full evidentiary briefing. CPAN’s legal team has filed a request for administrative review under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in Israel.

Implications for Canada‑Israel diplomatic relations

• Parliamentary oversight: The Canadian House of Commons’ Foreign Affairs Committee has scheduled a hearing on “Foreign sponsorship and security vetting of parliamentary delegations.”
• Potential sanctions: Some analysts warn that continued accusations could trigger reciprocal measures, such as limits on Israeli business travel for Canadian officials.
• Public opinion shift: Polls from Ipsos Canada (oct 2025) show a 7 % rise in Canadians who view Israel’s security policies as “overly aggressive,” while support for Palestinian humanitarian aid remains steady at 62 %.

Legal and diplomatic avenues for resolution

1. Formal diplomatic note – Canada’s embassy in Jerusalem can submit a diplomatic note requesting clarification of the “terrorist ties” claim and evidence sharing.
2. Joint investigative commission – Propose a Canada‑Israel joint commission to audit CPAN’s funding streams, ensuring clarity while respecting national security concerns.
3. Use of the Canada‑Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA) – Leverage CIFTA dispute‑resolution mechanisms to address potential breaches of “fair treatment” clauses.

Impact on humanitarian and civil‑society work in the West Bank

• Access restrictions: NGOs linked to the banned MPs have reported delayed permit approvals for projects in Jericho and Nablus.
• Operational adjustments:
• Shift to remote monitoring technologies (satellite imagery, drones) for field assessments.
• Partner with local Palestinian NGOs to bypass entry bans while maintaining compliance with Israeli security protocols.

Practical tips for journalists and NGOs covering the ban

• Verify sources: Cross‑check Israeli security statements with independant reports from Human Rights Watch and B’Tselem.
• Document communications: Keep copies of all official correspondences (embassy notes, MP letters) to build a chronological record.
• Maintain neutrality: Use balanced language-refer to “alleged terrorist ties” rather than definitive claims-while reporting.
• Secure alternative entry permits: Request “humanitarian access” permits directly from the Israeli Coordination and Liaison Management (CLA) when standard delegation routes are blocked.

Case study: 2018 ban of Canadian MPs from Gaza

• In 2018, Israel barred three Canadian MPs from Gaza after a similar sponsor‑related controversy.
• The ban was lifted after a joint audit revealed no direct financial links to prohibited groups, illustrating how transparent investigations can restore diplomatic goodwill.

Key takeaways for policymakers

• Enhanced vetting: Implement a pre‑departure vetting protocol for all foreign‑sponsored delegations to mitigate security disputes.
• Bilateral dialog: Establish a standing Canada‑Israel security liaison office within the foreign Affairs Ministry to address emerging concerns quickly.
• public transparency: Publish redacted versions of security assessments to maintain public trust without compromising intelligence sources.