A delegation of Canadian parliamentarians, including a Montreal-area MP, was refused entry into the West Bank by Israeli border authorities this week, an action described as shocking and a setback for diplomatic dialogue.
Delegation Turned Away at Allenby Bridge
On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, a group of six Canadian MPs—five Liberals and one New Democrat—were blocked from crossing into the West Bank via the Allenby Bridge land border from Jordan. The delegation of 30 Canadians, which also included doctors and humanitarian workers, was organized by the charitable group The Canadian-Muslim Vote (CMV).
Sameer Zuberi, the Liberal MP for Pierrefonds-Dollard, said the group had obtained electronic visas and planned a two-night trip to meet with Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities, aid groups, refugees, and the Palestinian Authority. The goal was to observe conditions firsthand, given the intense global focus on the region.
Conflicting Reasons for the Rejection
Israeli officials stated the denial was due to the organizer's links to a group it designates as a terrorist entity. The Israeli embassy cited CMV's funding from Islamic Relief Canada, a subsidiary of Islamic Relief Worldwide, which Israel listed as a terror entity in 2014. "The State of Israel will not allow the entry of organizations and individuals who are associated with designated terror entities," an embassy statement said.
However, the delegates suspect their rejection may be connected to Canada's official recognition of a Palestinian state three months prior, announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney. Zuberi had publicly advocated for this recognition on social media earlier in the year.
Adding to the controversy, Zuberi alleged that fellow MP Iqra Khalid was "roughed up" by Israeli customs officials, claiming she was "pushed and shoved forcefully" during the encounter.
A Stark Contrast to Previous Access
The incident is particularly notable because the same organization led a nearly identical delegation into the West Bank last year without incident. Stephen Brown, president of the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) who was part of the 2024 trip, said that delegation provided crucial insight into the humanitarian situation.
Brown argued the key difference this year is the changed diplomatic landscape, with Canada and other Western nations now recognizing Palestinian statehood. He suggested Israel does not want parliamentarians witnessing conditions on the ground amid "contradictory reports."
Zuberi, who visited the region seven years ago before entering politics, said he was "shocked and dismayed" by the turn of events. He emphasized that dialogue and humanitarian work are essential for peace and security. "We're dealing with humanitarians. There's absolutely no reason for people to be blocked entry on this occasion," he stated from a hotel in Amman, Jordan.
The denied entry follows a similar high-profile incident in September involving two British politicians. Zuberi noted that such blocks also regularly affect UN workers, journalists, and other humanitarians.
The truncated delegation will remain in Jordan before returning to Canada as originally scheduled on Friday afternoon.
