Organizers of a Canadian civil society delegation are calling on the federal government to enact stronger sanctions against Israel after the group was blocked from entering the West Bank. The incident has sparked a renewed debate over Canada's foreign policy in the region.
Delegation Blocked at the Border
The planned delegation, which included community leaders and advocates, was prevented from entering the West Bank by Israeli authorities on Monday, December 29, 2025. The group had intended to meet with Palestinian civil society organizations and witness conditions on the ground firsthand.
In response, the organizers held a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Umair Ashraf, the Executive Director of The Canadian-Muslim Vote, addressed reporters, framing the border denial as part of a broader pattern of restricting international oversight.
Calls for a Stronger Canadian Response
Ashraf and other delegation leaders argued that the blocking of a peaceful, fact-finding mission necessitates a more robust diplomatic and economic response from Canada. They are urging the government to move beyond statements of concern and implement steeper, targeted sanctions.
"This is not an isolated event," Ashraf stated during the press conference. "It is a deliberate attempt to shield actions in the occupied territories from independent observation. Canada must match its stated principles with concrete policy."
The call adds to existing pressure on the Canadian government to reevaluate its trade and diplomatic relations with Israel, aligning its actions more closely with its stated commitments to international law and human rights.
Broader Context and Next Steps
The incident occurs amidst ongoing regional tensions and a complex international debate regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The delegation's organizers have vowed to formally present their findings and recommendations to Global Affairs Canada and relevant parliamentary committees.
They hope their firsthand account of being barred entry will galvanize political will for a policy shift. The focus of their proposed sanctions includes measures aimed at entities involved in settlement expansion and the restriction of movement in the occupied territories.
As of now, the Canadian government has not issued an official response to the specific call for escalated sanctions following this incident. Observers will be watching to see if this event triggers a tangible change in Ottawa's approach.
