CJPME condemns Israel’s denial of entry to Canadian politicians

Five Liberal MPs [Fares Al Soud, Iqra Khalid, Aslam Rana, Gurbax Saini, Sameer Zuberi] and one NDP MP [Jenny Kwan] were planning a three-day delegation to Palestine but were blocked by Israel this morning at the Jordan border.

CJPME calls on Canada to forcefully respond to this illegal restriction on Canadian-Palestinian diplomacy, starting with diplomatic sanctions on Israel and the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador.

“Israel is an illegitimate occupying power in Palestine, and simply does not have the right to bar entry to Canadian lawmakers into the country,” said Yara Shoufani, President of CJPME.

“Just months after Canada recognized Palestinian statehood, Israel is demonstrating its apartheid rule over Palestine and fundamental denial of Palestinian self-determination. Canada must impose consequences on Israel in response to this major violation of diplomacy,” added Shoufani.

Last year, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) affirmed in its Advisory Opinion that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful, determining that it represents a denial of Palestinian self-determination and calling for Israel’s immediate withdrawal.

CJPME notes that Israel’s illegitimate exercise of authority over the entry of foreign officials into Palestine is a blatant violation of international law, and an attempt to undermine Canada’s own diplomatic relations with the Palestinian people.