A Jewish woman from Montreal has received what her lawyer calls a limited and insufficient apology from Service Canada after passport office employees told her she could not list Israel as her country of birth, citing the ongoing "political conflict." The incident has sparked demands for a full explanation and accountability.
The Passport Office Encounter
Anastasia Zorchinsky, a Canadian citizen who was born in Kfar Saba, Israel, recounted her troubling experience at a Montreal passport office. She stated that officials informed her that due to the current geopolitical situation, they "cannot put Israel in your passport." As an alternative, she was told she could list her birthplace as Palestine. Zorchinsky was also informed that this alleged policy shift affected several cities, including Jerusalem.
Zorchinsky pushed back against the directive, and officials ultimately relented. She confirmed in a November 29 Instagram post that she received her new passport with Israel correctly identified as her country of birth.
A Lawyer's Pursuit for Answers
Zorchinsky's lawyer, Neil Oberman, wrote to the Montreal passport office and Service Canada on November 12 seeking a clear explanation for the staff's actions. The response came from Cliff Groen, Service Canada's chief operating officer, last week.
Oberman told the National Post that while the reply was swift—likely due to significant media coverage from outlets like the National Post and The New York Times—it was unsatisfactory. "It was an apology but not an apology. It did not offer an explanation," Oberman stated. He described Groen's letter as saying passport staff "may have caused some confusion" and that Service Canada must "regularly review" its operational tools.
Oberman emphasized that issuing the correct passport does not excuse the staff's conduct. In a follow-up letter dated November 27, he renewed demands for the policy documents that supposedly supported the statements made to his client. He insisted that if no such documents exist, an explanation is required for why the rationale was invented.
Broader Implications for All Canadians
Zorchinsky expressed her primary concern is ensuring this does not happen to anyone else. "It's abnormal. It's not okay," she said, calling Groen's response "totally insufficient."
Oberman framed the issue as one of fundamental rights, extending beyond any single community. "This is not a Jewish issue," he asserted. "All Canadians have the right to government service without the influence of geopolitics." The lawyer and his client suspect the incident may be connected to Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent decision to recognize the state of Palestine, though this has not been confirmed by officials.
The case highlights concerns about consistency, policy application, and political neutrality within federal service delivery. Oberman has requested confirmation of an internal review into the incident, seeking transparency and accountability from Service Canada.